Prototype Gyrocopter Visualisations for Aviation Company

Project Overview

UK-based aviation engineering company Condor Aviation approached me to create a series of visualisations of a gyrocopter they were developing. The aircraft — the Gryphon — was designed from the outset for the African market, with features including a radial engine, twin-wheel undercarriage and a multi-panel windscreen designed to keep maintenance costs down.

Because the aircraft didn't yet exist in finished form, accuracy was paramount. Working from technical specification sheets of the existing airframe the design was based on, I built a scale 3D model with correct dimensions and proportions throughout. Using a 3D model as the central component to the workflow made it straightforward to iterate as the design of the aircraft evolved and gave me a precise, consistent reference to feed into my generative AI image pipeline — producing photorealistic visualisations across multiple scenes, lighting conditions and camera angles. The generated images were then retouched in Photoshop to bring them to a finished standard.

To add to the authenticity of the visualisations, I produced the Gryphon logo so it could be added as a decal on the bodywork and used in promotional material.

The scope expanded considerably over the course of the project, eventually covering several variants of the aircraft — including an even more rugged camouflage version suited to anti-poaching operations.

The client was delighted with the results, and with further work potentially on the horizon, it's a project I'm looking forward to returning to.

“Superb. Worked quickly and with attention to detail. Ended up with exactly the design and image we had imagined. We will use Colin again.”

Martyn Wiseman, Managing Director, Condor Aviation