Folding helicopter blades

[rickshaw]

Does anybody know of some good diagrams or close pictures of the hinges for folding helicopter blades on a Wessex?

Second question, are the things that are used, usually to hold helicopter blades once they are folded metal or something soft like rope/canvas/etc?

[Maverick]

Although I can't place any diagrams or photos, just diagrams from profile artwork, but I believe the restraints are canvas bags with a rope.

Regards,

Mav

[lenny100]

most rn heicopters use a pole about 3 meters long with a c shaped cup on top which when placed a marked area on the blades also fit into a fitting on the tail of the helicopter holding the blade ridged
when in flight position they use a canvas bag and rope, as its the best way

[RotorheadTX]

I can supply the blade-fold pics you need - later today.

[deathjester]

I don't know about diagrams, but if you want folding blades for a model, you couldn't do better than the ones on my Supermarine Spartan - they are from an toy EC-135 Helo made by RealToy, and they are very strong, and fold up!

If you want, I can get one to you!

[rickshaw]

Deathjester would they fold like a naval helicopter's blades?  Are they 1/72 scale?

Rotorhead, if you can send me the pictures, I'd appreciate it.

[deathjester]

They are about 1/72, and they can fold lengthways, so they lay fore and aft along the line of the fuselage.
They could fold so all four blades form a fan shape, but that takes up more room!


Is that what you meant?

[jcf]

S-58 rotor head:


From Burkhard Domke's rotorhead image page. 

http://www.b-domke.de/AviationImages/Rotorhead.html

[RotorheadTX]

Well, that takes care of that, doesn't it?? 

[Thiel]

Nice to know that you and your buddies are suspended by eight potentially rusty bolts. 

[PR19_Kit]

One of the most senior engineers in the company I used to work for, a guy who knows more about metal fatigue than anyone else I've ever met, refuses point blank to fly in any helicopter. He says they're 'Flying Fatigue Machines' and won't even go in one with a carbon fibre rotor as he reckons there just isn't enough data to prove that the material is reliable.

He'd go right along with the 'eight potentially rusty bolts' hypotheses.....

[jcf]

One of the most senior engineers in the company I used to work for, a guy who knows more about metal fatigue than anyone else I've ever met, refuses point blank to fly in any helicopter. He says they're 'Flying Fatigue Machines' and won't even go in one with a carbon fibre rotor as he reckons there just isn't enough data to prove that the material is reliable.

He'd go right along with the 'eight potentially rusty bolts' hypotheses.....

Sounds just like my Uncle Ron's (married to my mum's younger sister) brother Bob. 

http://www.rjwaldronco.com/team/robert-waldron.html

[Maverick]

There's always the magical 'Jesus Nut' that holds the helo to it's rotor.     Once that fails, the occupants get to meet him pretty darn quick.

Regards,

Mav

[Captain Canada]

Nice to know that you and your buddies are suspended by eight potentially rusty bolts. 

It's not the bolts I'd be worried about.....it's the nuts holding them on ! Having said that, the way the joint is made, the bolt would pretty much have to turn into dust to come apart.

[rickshaw]

I think I'll be scratchbuilding the S-58's rotor folding.  Thanks to everybody for their help.