A few years back I designed a scale model of the Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne, probably my favorite helicopter of all time. The experimental Cheyenne featured a variable-pitch pusher prop and small wings, which allowed it to fly much like an airplane and gave it a top speed of nearly 250 MPH. My Cheyenne was based on Align T-Rex 450 hardware, with many customized components to allow it to fit in the slender fiberglass fuselage. The project turned out really well, and I was particularly honored that this little model was awarded first place in the helicopter class at the 2011 Toledo Weak Signals show. My only regret for the Cheyenne was that I didn’t make it bigger. This year I decided it was time to do something about that.
For my larger Cheyenne I’ve settled on Blade 600 X mechanics, “stretched” to 700 size with a longer tail boom and 690mm blades. This will result in a 1/10 scale model 65″ long. As the preliminary line drawing shows, this machine is going to dwarf the previous version.
I drew the fuselage for the Cheyenne in Rhino 3D, which allows me to verify fit for all components. This 3D model will be used to machine a foam plug, which will then be glassed, finished and waxed so that it can be the master for a female fiberglass mold.
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- Here’s the 450 size Cheyenne at the 2013 MidAm Electric Fly. Photo by John Kauk.
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- The Cheyenne’s most notable feature was the variable-pitch pusher prop. This and the small wings allowed the AH-56 to fly much like an airplane, hitting speeds up to 250MPH.
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- As the preliminary CAD drawing shows, the 700-size Cheyenne dwarfs my earlier 450 version.
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- The 65″ long fuselage was drawn in Rhino 3D to verify fit for the internal mechanics.
The scale airframe is certainly the star of any scale build, but on a project like the Cheyenne my first priority was to get the mechanics built and test flown. After all, the complex tail unit, with its outrigger tail rotor and variable-pitch pusher prop, is the key to the entire project, so that’s a natural place to start. So let’s set the body aside for now and move on to the mechanics….
Awesome project Jim! The Cheyenne has been a favorite of mine and back in my heli days often thought about what it would take to make one. I
lol be following with great interest!
Rick …
I’m on board, I’ve been wanting to do a large scale heli for a long time!
Outstanding project, Jim. Great to see modelers continuing to do exciting and interesting stuff! Congrats!
Having worked on the real Cheyenne, looking to see your bird fly
When I was a kid living in So. Cal, I seen this helicopter flying around on a few occasions and seen it parked in its “secret fenced area” at I believe Palomar airport. It was parked in an area that had like five fences all around the heli pad and it. Think of a tennis court but with five VERY tall fences around it!!!! I will look forward to seeing the progress.
I have loved the Cheyenne since the first time I saw it. I have often thought about trying to make a scale version so when I saw your 450 version I was happy to see that you went all in and included the variable pitch pusher prop. All the best with the build and I look forward to seeing your large version complete.