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d-bledsoe
04-15-2007, 11:48 AM
We recently aquired a joker 2 for AP use. I have spent the last 2 weeks designing/making a underslung mount for it.

The goal for the mount was to get a 360degree unobstructed view. There are 3 ways i could have done that. Turn the heli, turn the mount, or retract the skids. I opted for the later because its cool.

I am using 4 robart 510 spring/air retracts. The whole mount + camera(Sony R1 2.5lbs) is less then 6lbs. No problem for the joker 2.

Here are a few images, and a video showing off the mount. I have yet to attach the joker to it because i crashed the joker yesterday due to full radio lockout(defective regulator).

http://derekbledsoe.net/airplanes/JokerCam001.jpg
http://derekbledsoe.net/airplanes/JokerCam002.jpg
http://derekbledsoe.net/airplanes/JokerCam003.jpg
http://derekbledsoe.net/airplanes/JokerCam005.jpg

http://derekbledsoe.net/airplanes/jokerCamMount.mov

-derek
-flyboyAP.com
AZ ChopperCam
04-15-2007, 11:57 AM
looks great! can't wait to see some pics from this rig. I'm glad to see your camera fit in the gimbal.
d-bledsoe
04-15-2007, 07:48 PM
DJ, im hoping to get the rig up in the air by mid week. need to finish a few repairs on the joker first. The gimbol works great. who ever designed it did a good job :wink:

-derek
bladebreaker
04-18-2007, 12:16 AM
Looks like the kind of gimbal some guy from Airizona builds??? :lolol

Sorry to hear about the crashed Joker. Anything salvagable?

Tip
kgfly
04-18-2007, 01:49 AM
What's the reliabilty of the retracts mechanism ? Is there a failsafe such that the LG comes down and locks even with loss of air pressure or whatever it is that raises them. While clever and fun, I wonder about the risk and consequences of having to land on your camera :shock:
Efliernz
04-18-2007, 05:30 AM
Nicely done. Very tidy, I too look forward to the results
dreslism
04-18-2007, 08:45 AM
What's the reliabilty of the retracts mechanism ? Is there a failsafe such that the LG comes down and locks even with loss of air pressure or whatever it is that raises them. While clever and fun, I wonder about the risk and consequences of having to land on your camera :shock:

They are failsafe. If the air get's low they will come down.

There are commercial companies that sell retract mounts also. Look at Helicam solutions. They have been selling theirs for years.
d-bledsoe
04-18-2007, 12:57 PM
There is a failsafe if the airpressure gets low the retacts spring back down into the locking possition. The likely hood of having to "land on the camera" while there is very low.

Like dreslism said there are other companies that are selling mounts with retracts and have been for years. I, like im sure most others dont have the 1000-2000$ for that kind of mount.

Thus this mount is born. The mount is strong, i wiegh 175 and can sit on it with all my wieght. Granted i wouldn't do this all the time but its nice to know that in a pinch it can hold atleast 170lbs without collaps or any structure failure.

-Derek
-flyboyap.com
kgfly
04-18-2007, 05:39 PM
Ah ha. Thanks for the explanation. I didn't mean to come across as critical or implying you didn't know what you were doing, just curious. :)
Ziggy2711
04-18-2007, 10:43 PM
Hi Derek.

How are you stabilizing the camera?