Scout helicopter

Design a light experimental helicopter for accessible flight

Brand background

scout+initial+info+by+by+artlebedev+&+designwith.love

Horizont design bureau provided a history of their helicopters, the feelings they want to evoke and some fundamental constraints (such as a maximum weight).

visited the Horizont design bureau to see a current production model

A flying visit

Visited the Horizont design bureau to see a current production model.

Sketching

A few rounds of initial idea sketches

scout-process-exterior-03.jpg
presented the initial set of design proposals to the manufacturer

Initial proposal rotatiton

“it’s all wrong. you got the task wrong, there is too much of automotive style here. it has to be about adventure, not limos.”

Switch theme, adventure

new inspiration in adventureland

Face adventure

Sketch work showing work that encompassed a new plastic nose that cuts the silhouette and makes the helicopter look more adventurous.

redesign encompassed a new plastic nose that cuts the silhouette and makes the helicopter look more adventurous
presentation sketch of the helicopter in situé, drawn over cad models provided by horizont to keep things fast and fresh

In flight renders

Presentation sketch of the helicopter in situé, drawn over cad models provided by horizont to keep things fast and fresh.

A nose job

Anyone who's designed a vehicle of any kind knows how important the face and expression of it is. With a helicopter, the nose and its shape are of paramount importance. 

a few options for the nose
design was refined, we worked closely with horizont to define the split lines and part cuts

Design refinement

Design refinement

Design refinement

Multiple prototypes from manufacturers used to refine the design up to a pre-production model (shown here)

We worked closely with horizont to define the split lines and part cuts.

We worked closely with horizont to define the split lines and part cuts.

a full cad render of the model was used to present the design with two further explorations of parts for the front high beams

High beams

The main beams remained a point of contention, in the end, three CAD renders were presented before the middle design (in green) was chosen by Horizont.

the main beams remained a point of contention, in the end three mocks were done in cad before the middle design (in green) was chosen by Horizont
series of CAD models sent to the client so they could discuss widely internally if they we’re happy with the direction and sure the new tooling for bodywork wouldn’t cost too much

C.A.D refinements

A series of CAD models were sent to the client so they could discuss widely internally if they we're happy with the direction and sure the new tooling for bodywork wouldn't cost too much.

A handle on things

To reduce costs and the number of tools and manufacturing required for parts involved we suggested using readymade car door locking mechanisms for the door handles.

to reduce costs and the number of tools and manufacturing required for parts involved we suggested using readymade car door locking mechanisms for the door handles

Full-size foam

The CAD model was then use to create a full-size foam model of the bodywork, to fully understand the form in 3D space.

the CAD model was then use to create a full-size foam model of the bodywork, to fully understand the form in 3D space
scout+aerodynamic+analysis+artlebedev+and+designwith.love

Aero-optimisation

After simulating turbulence and flight pressures the aerodynamics of the design were found unsuitable, the truncated flat nose would result in instability when flying, the red lines above show how the form was tweaked.

Model 2

The new aerodynamically stable design was then made into a scale model, at this point we were able to define where the part split lines should be.

scout-process-exterior-19.jpg
further definition of the split lines, to be folded back into the CAD model

Splitting up

Further definition of the split lines, to be folded back into the CAD model.

the surface model had to be reworked at the top to ensure it didn’t intersect with the rotor mechanism

Resurfacing

The surface model had to be reworked at the top to ensure it didn't intersect with the rotor mechanism.


 

 

 

 

 

 

Door lock redesign

The door locking mechanism had to be repositioned to the base of the door which meant the mechanism previously proposed (using pre-made components) wasn't suitable, a range of mechanisms/designs were sketched out.

scout-process-exterior-24

Colours

We explored a range of colour options and themes before settling with the client on a customisable framework.

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THE SCOUT CUSTOMISABLE DESIGN FRAMEWORK WE DECIDED UPON
THE FIRST SAMPLE UNIT OF A SCOUT BEING SHOWN AT AN EXHIBITION

Exhibition sample

The first to scale sample unit was shown at a sales exhibition to judge consumer interest and build buzz.

Scout takes flight

With a proof of concept model with all the mechanics in place built, things really took off. 

Designed for you  (with love)
Designed for you  (with love) 
Designed for you  (with love)
Designed for you  (with love)
Designed for you  (with love)
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