Retracts for the Patriot?
06-13-2008, 11:35 PM
#1
Retracts for the Patriot?
Friends
I am going to dust off some partially finished Patriots I have and gitr-done!
1. is the old ARF, all together, just needs an engine and retracts
2. is a 40 sized Kit, same thing with this one. All together but no engine or retracts.
My question is, what retracts would you guys recommend? Any suggestions are appreciated
thanks!
I am going to dust off some partially finished Patriots I have and gitr-done!
1. is the old ARF, all together, just needs an engine and retracts
2. is a 40 sized Kit, same thing with this one. All together but no engine or retracts.
My question is, what retracts would you guys recommend? Any suggestions are appreciated
thanks!
06-14-2008, 10:35 AM
#3
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Vernon,
NJ
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Retracts for the Patriot?
I am building the 40 sized patriot now.I almost have it done. I am using
Robart 605hd on the mains and the 607hd on the nose. These are the air up/air down retracts
that are supposed to be for the big patriot. they fit good. I am using 2.5"wheels all
around because of the thick SOD grass that I fly off of. so the 3/16 wire is a big plus for me.
I also doubled up on all the landng gear blocks.
Robart 605hd on the mains and the 607hd on the nose. These are the air up/air down retracts
that are supposed to be for the big patriot. they fit good. I am using 2.5"wheels all
around because of the thick SOD grass that I fly off of. so the 3/16 wire is a big plus for me.
I also doubled up on all the landng gear blocks.
06-19-2008, 07:12 AM
#5
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Vernon,
NJ
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Retracts for the Patriot?
I am getting there. I fully sheeted the wings, and put the aileron servos in the wings.
I will be using the torque rods in the wings for flaps.
I will be using the torque rods in the wings for flaps.
06-19-2008, 10:33 AM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hensley,
AR
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Retracts for the Patriot?
I have a set of Hobbico mech retracts in mine. Mains operate with a retract servo, nose with a std servo. Fly mostly off grass, and in 16 yrs the gear has NEVER failed to operate. This set up cost 100.00 or less.
Cody
Cody
06-19-2008, 12:59 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Monterrey, MEXICO
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Retracts for the Patriot?
What advantages have the air retracts against the mech retracts about function once installed ???
I have been using the mech for 6 years and like Grodus has never failed , mine are Dave Brown.
I have been using the mech for 6 years and like Grodus has never failed , mine are Dave Brown.
06-19-2008, 01:10 PM
#8
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Vernon,
NJ
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Retracts for the Patriot?
I am not sure. I never used the mechanical retracts.
everything I have is air. I am only using the robart 605 & 607's
because I had them laying around and they fit nice.
everything I have is air. I am only using the robart 605 & 607's
because I had them laying around and they fit nice.
what did I miss or not see?
06-19-2008, 04:23 PM
#11
RE: Retracts for the Patriot?
The spring air series you want for a patriot is the 100 series, either the 101 or if you fly from grass I'd use the 101 HD, same gear but with 3/16" struts instead of 5/32".
They used to make a slimline 100 series as well, but I don't think they were needed for the patriot.
You can get either a belly or firewall mount nose gear in that series.
http://www.retracts.com/Retrax_100.htm
As for benefits of air vs mechanical, there are many IMO.
1. They are easier to set up, you have only one pushrod from a servo to a valve, easy, doesn't have to run a dead straight line, doesn't even have to be a retract servo.
2. Your air valve servo can be a micro servo, saves a large amount of weight over a retract servo
3. In a patriot you save one full servo since you need a retract servo in the wing AND one in the fuse for the nose gear if using mechanicals.
4. There is no chance of a bent gear wire causing a gear to stick in the wheel well and have the servo stall, drain your battery and boom, no more airplane....
Yes it does take up a bit more space if you consider the air tank and fill valves, but they weigh almost nothing so you can mount them where-ever you want to. Generally speaking, mechanical retracts have plastic bodies as well, I have broken many a mechanical retract over the years, never had a problem with air.
The only downside to Spring Air retracts is the wheels don't stay tucked in the wing without air pressure so transport can be a bit of a pain, however, you can retract the gear, put a small 1/8" dowel into the frame to keep the air cylinder from moving and lock them in the up position for transport, just a small bit of extra work.
I definitely prefer air over mechanical
They used to make a slimline 100 series as well, but I don't think they were needed for the patriot.
You can get either a belly or firewall mount nose gear in that series.
http://www.retracts.com/Retrax_100.htm
As for benefits of air vs mechanical, there are many IMO.
1. They are easier to set up, you have only one pushrod from a servo to a valve, easy, doesn't have to run a dead straight line, doesn't even have to be a retract servo.
2. Your air valve servo can be a micro servo, saves a large amount of weight over a retract servo
3. In a patriot you save one full servo since you need a retract servo in the wing AND one in the fuse for the nose gear if using mechanicals.
4. There is no chance of a bent gear wire causing a gear to stick in the wheel well and have the servo stall, drain your battery and boom, no more airplane....
Yes it does take up a bit more space if you consider the air tank and fill valves, but they weigh almost nothing so you can mount them where-ever you want to. Generally speaking, mechanical retracts have plastic bodies as well, I have broken many a mechanical retract over the years, never had a problem with air.
The only downside to Spring Air retracts is the wheels don't stay tucked in the wing without air pressure so transport can be a bit of a pain, however, you can retract the gear, put a small 1/8" dowel into the frame to keep the air cylinder from moving and lock them in the up position for transport, just a small bit of extra work.
I definitely prefer air over mechanical
06-19-2008, 05:53 PM
#12
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hensley,
AR
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Retracts for the Patriot?
I admit, my nose unit has slop, but it works and it works all the time. I could spen $15 and buy another unit, after 16yrs, I've got my moneys worth I think. I deal with air systems in my turbine powered airplanes. 90% of my maintainance issues involve either the retract or the brake system. I keep the patriot so I have something that know will operate correctly at the field. Their is something to be said for simplicity. If you have good luck with air systems, that's great, use them. Personally, I would never consider air gear in a Patriot. Just my opinion.
Cody
Cody
06-24-2008, 01:46 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Monterrey, MEXICO
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Retracts for the Patriot?
ORIGINAL: LGM Graphix
As for benefits of air vs mechanical, there are many IMO.
1. They are easier to set up, you have only one pushrod from a servo to a valve, easy, doesn't have to run a dead straight line, doesn't even have to be a retract servo.
2. Your air valve servo can be a micro servo, saves a large amount of weight over a retract servo
3. In a patriot you save one full servo since you need a retract servo in the wing AND one in the fuse for the nose gear if using mechanicals.
4. There is no chance of a bent gear wire causing a gear to stick in the wheel well and have the servo stall, drain your battery and boom, no more airplane....
Yes it does take up a bit more space if you consider the air tank and fill valves, but they weigh almost nothing so you can mount them where-ever you want to. Generally speaking, mechanical retracts have plastic bodies as well, I have broken many a mechanical retract over the years, never had a problem with air.
The only downside to Spring Air retracts is the wheels don't stay tucked in the wing without air pressure so transport can be a bit of a pain, however, you can retract the gear, put a small 1/8" dowel into the frame to keep the air cylinder from moving and lock them in the up position for transport, just a small bit of extra work.
I definitely prefer air over mechanical
As for benefits of air vs mechanical, there are many IMO.
1. They are easier to set up, you have only one pushrod from a servo to a valve, easy, doesn't have to run a dead straight line, doesn't even have to be a retract servo.
2. Your air valve servo can be a micro servo, saves a large amount of weight over a retract servo
3. In a patriot you save one full servo since you need a retract servo in the wing AND one in the fuse for the nose gear if using mechanicals.
4. There is no chance of a bent gear wire causing a gear to stick in the wheel well and have the servo stall, drain your battery and boom, no more airplane....
Yes it does take up a bit more space if you consider the air tank and fill valves, but they weigh almost nothing so you can mount them where-ever you want to. Generally speaking, mechanical retracts have plastic bodies as well, I have broken many a mechanical retract over the years, never had a problem with air.
The only downside to Spring Air retracts is the wheels don't stay tucked in the wing without air pressure so transport can be a bit of a pain, however, you can retract the gear, put a small 1/8" dowel into the frame to keep the air cylinder from moving and lock them in the up position for transport, just a small bit of extra work.
I definitely prefer air over mechanical
I've never had Spring Air Rtetracts , the only reference wich I had from it were a buch of guys getting a hard time on the field with his own , I guess they has had something wrong on it .
Btw I think another downside to Spring Air Rretracts is his cost .
