Doubledog

My Feedback: (48)

In the process of assembling my H9 150 size P-47 (the 81" version) and want to upgrade the landing gear to pneumatic over the mechanical-spring junk. And not spend a bucket load on it.

My question is has anyone used gear from these folks? The price seems quite reasonable and I can still use my struts.

http://www.retracts.com/index.htm

Many thanks for your opinion,
-Jr

ps, posted over at RCGroups but would like a little more feedback before going further.

mintie

Yes I have spring air in my Zero ..It is 65in w/s and 10.5 lbs..have robart oleos and scale robart wheels all work very good.
would be happy to use them again on another scale model.
I like the idea of all ways having wheels down if you loss all the air.
Put a restricter in the line to help slow the system down to more scale like.

Doubledog

My Feedback: (48)

Excellent feedback-! And I like the idea of the restricter.
For the price of the system compared to others, I would rather do my homework before jumping into something.

Many thanks

rc34074

My Feedback: (5)

Spring Air makes excellent retracts - very reliable and never seem to need maintenance like some other air retracts. Strong too - and easy to fix/straighten if you have a bad landing. I like their 700 series and 400 series which take oleo struts directly into the retract without needing those silly wire adaptors. Your p47 would take the 400 series - he has two sizes in the 400 series - one is made for thinnner wings.

Ed

Doubledog

My Feedback: (48)

Excellent Ed. Many thanks and I'm looking forward to contacting them later today.

butlern

My Feedback: (15)

I agree that the retracts from Spring Air are durable and reliable, and best of all, affordable! Slowing the retraction does require airline restriction, because if you don't they will slam into the wing, even with modest air pressure.

The only negative, in my opinion, is the sloppy torsion links/rivets on the larger versions of the Spring Air functional oleo struts. Even new, mine would "wiggle" such that it was hard to precisely control toe-in and toe-out. Maybe this has been dealt with since I last owned a set (about 4 years ago).

That aside, all in all, a very good buy! Customer service was excellent, too.

Noah

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

jr, I have six pairs of their 404 series. They work perfectly and their spring down function is a tremendous safety factor. I'll try to upload some installation shots. Dan.

JeffH

My Feedback: (43)

They have been around for many many years. They are first class gear. Some report that they can be a little slow to ship.

Doubledog

My Feedback: (48)

Wonderful information Dan, Jeff & others. You guys on this thread and the other on RCGroups have sold me.

JeffH

My Feedback: (43)

One thing to remember is that when you disconnect your air supply, the gear comes down.

Doubledog

My Feedback: (48)

Thats something to keep in mind as the wings will need removing for transporation & storeage. Hopes are to also find a spot in my office for display from the ceiling and would prefer the gear be tucked in. For the money though, guess it could be mounted on the wall

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

I have them in my little Pica 65" spit, use a restrictor as well. They have worked flawlessly since 2000.

rc34074

My Feedback: (5)

You can use tie wraps to hold the gear in the retracted position if desired. The few times I have done this I put the tie wrap around the air cylinder and over the oleo strut leg. I do this with the gear retracted.

Ed

tdstaf

My Feedback: (11)

I use them in every thing I design and have never had a problem. I use the inner gear doors on my mustang to keep the gear in the wing they dont have a lot of spring pressure so not much force is needed to keep them closed.

Tim

DavidAgar

My Feedback: (108)

I have used them for years. I get the heavy duty one's that have 3/16 inch wire. They allow for the occasinal hard landing. Good Luck, Dave

Bob Paris

My Feedback: (13)

Hi Guys,
I have a pair of Spring Air retracts in my P-38 and work well. The guys at Spring Air are friendly and have outstanding customer service. I too use Robart struts and wheels and they work well with the retracts too. My only issue with the landing gear is keeping the gear retracted when I need to de-air the system...but that is not a fault with the Spring Air retracts...just how the work. The retracts are light, strong and dependable.
Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui

Bozarth

My Feedback: (15)

I made a little key to lock the gear in the retracted position for storage and transportation. I copied Richard Brink, the owner of Blue Yonder Hobbies in Aurora, CO years ago.

Kurt

aris1

My Feedback: (3)

Dear Doubledog,
I have been using spring air retracts for the lat 30 years,on more than 10 airplanes,without a single problem.All my airplanes have spring air retracts.One big plus of this unique system,is that if you take off without having air in your system,the gear will retract into an intermediate position(depending on how much air you had in the air tank)reminding you that you did not fill your air tank,or you might have a leak.But when you will select gear down,the gear will come down and lock normaly.In a 2 way air system,if the above would happened,than you are surely going for a BELLY LANDING.Do not hesitate to use spring air(HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)Best regards.
Aris

cloudancer03

My Feedback: (22)

wow this thread is very timely for me personally.I managed to buy a pica T28B kit from a fellow modeller for 100 bucks and the fuse and tail feathers are already done and the work is very good.I need to build the wings and finish the model.Included were a nib set of spring air pneumatics.after reading all the posts I am very satisfied to install them in my T28B.however I need to really check to make sure all the accesory parts are there.the tubing is so brittle it flakes apart in my hand.an easy fix.what I am unsure of is the struts but it sounds like I can go to robart and order a set of mains there and a nose strut.I knew the old mechanical spring air would defAULT TO THE DOWN POSTION and am glad to hear thats true on the pneumatics.

has anyone built a pica T28 60 size.I also like the fact they are made in the USA! as a retract newbie how are handling the air supply.by that I mean how are you supplying the air itself a hand pump?that seems long.or a simple can of air or freon.?

like I said glad there are users and happy ones at that.

cloudancer03

My Feedback: (22)

also would love to see some pics of the retracts installed if possible.

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

Cloud, here are a few images of how I made the installation of a steerable nose gear in a pusher of mine. The Spring Air is their 404 and the strut is Robarts. Dan.

JGrc

My Feedback: (29)

I've used Spring Air for many years as well, excellent product and Bill the owner is always there to answer your questions. Also is worth noting they are the original creators of air up sprig down systems

This 83" Spitfire uses Spring air retratcs. http://fliteskin.com/Spitfire.html

Jose @ Fliteskin

Doubledog

My Feedback: (48)

Called earlier this week and had a good time talking with Bill. We chatted about all kinds of plane stuff and he made me feel very comfortable with the purchase.

Thanks for the feedback and looking forward to my first set of air retracts

balsa4cat

My Feedback: (2)

f
irst class gear when you can lay your hands on them. Unfortunately they do not answer phones calls or have an e-mail address. Do not buy directly as they take the money (Paypal) and do not ship. When complained to Paypal Spring Air lied about making shipment. Only buy these great gears thru E-nay or other rummages.

Shaun Evans

Hi,

I hate to say it, but it's true. They don't ship. They've very sweet old folks, but once paid, they forget about you until you blow their phone up for months...