Lee Wayman`s...   ROBBE  WHOPPER-


The following comments of fellow Gyromodeler Jack Ronda are accurate and appropriate in regard to the Robbe Whopper:

"I have one of the Whoppers.   Have tried flying it several times and every time have managed to torque roll on takeoff while in transitional lift and knocked the tailfeathers off every time.   Sort of a bummer.    They are flyable,  but not something I would recommend for a first gyro.   Robbe is still in business,  but don't know if they still have the Whopper.

It is very spendy for a first gyro.   Somewhere around $400.   My take on the Whopper is that is overweight if built as designed and is marginal at best.   I tried powering it with a strong 90 - 4 stroke but I think a strong 60 - 2 stroke would get the rotor up to speed better for takeoff.     If you run across a used or old kit be sure it has the Clark Y airfoil on the blades.    The first kits used a semi symmetrical shape and did not provide the lift of the Clark Y versions.

I also understand that first flights are best done without the fuselage shell.    It also helps to tie a string on the tailwheel and hold the ship back with it until the rotor gets up to speed.   Just let it trail behind during flight,  or if that bothers you,  then make the string a loop and release one end when ready for takeoff.   I would also recommend that you mix the rudder with the tilt for a coordinated control.


rev..8-12-98..jjb