Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

I am bulding a kit of a BAe Red Arrow Hawk and am about to insatll Standard eurokit air retracts into the wings. Trouble is that they are solid foam core wings with 1mm veneer.
How do I install the retracts and re-enforce the bay that I have to cut to put them in there, to be strong enough not to crack the wings to pieces when landed on a Bumpy grass strip????????



Please, please, Can anyone help?!


DB
please see my gallery for shots of the wing with retract units laying on top, awaiting installation!

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

there was a very good thread/how to page, about this, do a search. he listed tools and lots of pics

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

Do you mean this one?
http://www.rcuniverse.com/reviews.ph...ew&reviewid=98

Doesn't help me all that much i'm afraid.
If thats not the one, perhaps you could find me a link to the one you're thinking of.

Thanks
Dave

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

nope, it is a thread on doing retracts..

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

Would you be good enough to see if you can find me a link?

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

after 10 pages of search results i got bored lol
but i know it's out there. and i'm sure it was this site..
he basicaly drew the shape on the wing, cut it slightly over sized, lined it with 1/64th ply and bingo. install a spar to fix the retracts too.

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

Ok Thanks,
Do you mean searching through the search tool? or in the RC magazine?

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

its a thread, not in the mag.

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

Dave,

Take a look at this drawing I have for a fw190, I use it on other foam wings as well and its very strong.

http://www.vicrc.com/foam.jpg

Study the drawing and let me know if you have any question. It should apply to your plane with minor adjustments

Basic steps should be...

0- make gear mounting plate
1 -draw the wheel wells and gear mounting plate location on the wing
2 -cut the sheeting for retract plate and wheel wells,
3 -dremmel the foam out or melt the foam using copper wire mounted ot a soldering gun.
4 -make half ribs that will help support the frame.
5- route out a channel for the top and bottom spar that supports the ribs. The ribs needs to be notched as in the drawing. The top and bottom spar distributes the load to the entire wing not just the retracts plates and ribs... in a not so happy landing.

cheers!

Vic

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

Cheers Vic,
That's extremely helpful.
So, that pic is of just a foam wing, with all the bits of ply etc... have to be added in?

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

I usually do this before sheeting the wing, you can route the foam out and cap them once you get all the support plys glued. Also, the balsa caps are easier to sand than the ply so make sure all the hard woods are recessed further than the sheeting.

I forget to mention that this is for a larger model, in the 80+ inch range. I suggest substituting for thinner ply supports for ribs, mounts and cap spar.

Vic

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

I think this is what you are looking for:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...ighlight=naked]

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

THATS IT!
no wonder i couldn't find it with a stupid title like that :rolleyes:

Air Retracts in Foam wings?
 

If anyone wants to see my Hawk's development. Some pics are on the following thread.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...=&pagenumber=5]