Spring Air Retracts - Opinions Welcome
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Spring Air Retracts - Opinions Welcome
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.
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.
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RE: Spring Air Retracts - Opinions Welcome
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.
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.
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RE: Spring Air Retracts - Opinions Welcome
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
For the price of the system compared to others, I would rather do my homework before jumping into something.
Many thanks
#4
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RE: Spring Air Retracts - Opinions Welcome
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
Ed
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RE: Spring Air Retracts - Opinions Welcome
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
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
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RE: Spring Air Retracts - Opinions Welcome
ORIGINAL: JeffH
One thing to remember is that when you disconnect your air supply, the gear comes down.
One thing to remember is that when you disconnect your air supply, the gear comes down.
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RE: Spring Air Retracts - Opinions Welcome
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
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
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RE: Spring Air Retracts - Opinions Welcome
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
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
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RE: Spring Air Retracts - Opinions Welcome
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.
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.
#22
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RE: Spring Air Retracts - Opinions Welcome
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
This 83" Spitfire uses Spring air retratcs. http://fliteskin.com/Spitfire.html
Jose @ Fliteskin
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RE: Spring Air Retracts - Opinions Welcome
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
Thanks for the feedback and looking forward to my first set of air retracts
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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.
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.