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Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/1/2011 8:17 PM

Kiwi-al

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Wingspan Retracts any body using them ?Have a cmp 120 zero and Hellcat looking to go electric undi but don't know which way to go,Lado (if they are ever in stock) or try wingspan.

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/5/2011 5:52 AM

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i am also trying to find a good electric retract for 1/5 and 1/4 scale warbirds,,

I have a Century Jet P-47, 102" wing span and I want to convert my Sierra Retracts to electric, preferably the screw drive type, or replace them completely if theres a company that makes quality electric ones.

I also plan on getting either the Topflite P-40 or P-51 Mustang and want to do electric in them as well.

Magnum RC has LADO, which looks like a good product, but not sure if they do the bigger warbirds,, sounds like inventory may be a problem.

I heard of another company, I believe its a German company, but I cant remember there name, and they have retracts that look similar in operation as the LADO.

I think we are in the same boat here, and I hope someone out there has some good news and maybe the name of a couple other companies that make electric retracts,,, American or European companies, PLEASE HELP

Heres all I can find so far,
1) LADO
2) Down and Locked (sounds like a good company with good product and support)
3) Wing Span Retracts

Im hoping someone knows the German ? company I seen a while back.

with that said, Im probably going to be sending 3 sets of retracts to Down and Locked,,, but im still looking for a company that "specialises" in 1/5 & 1/4 scale.

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/5/2011 9:12 AM

Kiwi-al

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At last I thought i was a lepper,Im sticking to the 73" 30cc range ,Electric seems to be the way things are going .Lado seems to be the best option so far. down and locked I have to send my gear all the way over then back.Wingspan ? Don't know any body using them. Might have to have a look in europe.

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/5/2011 12:24 PM

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The wingspan site says they'll be coming this summer. I have eflite 60 size in my Ki-98, but they're too wimpy, and the plane is grounded until I find something else. These looked sturdier in the video than the eflite, so I'm anxious to order a pair.

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/5/2011 2:49 PM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ampeater

I have eflite 60 size in my Ki-98, but they're too wimpy,

How much does the plane weigh?

Are you using struts with your eflite 60's? or wire?

It appears that wingspan are plastic? eflites are metal. And cheaper.

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/5/2011 3:31 PM

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The airplane is about 12 lbs, and we have a grass runway. I have robostruts, the maiden landing wasn't too bad, just a bit fast and the aluminum trunions on both mains broke. I could machine new steel trunions, but then something else would let loose. So I just want to go with something heavier duty.

I thought the wingspan retracts were aluminum, I'll have to re-check their video.

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/5/2011 3:38 PM

mike early

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ahh, upon further research I find: • Quality stainless steel and aluminum construction

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/5/2011 4:00 PM

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I just talked to Mitch at "Down & Locked"
I asked every question I could think of, and I was extrtemely happy with the answers.
They can do the 1/5 and 1/4 scale airplanes + + + +
They are based in the USA, + + + +
Sounds like a very strong, durable, reliable product, + + + +
Keep in mind, I fly 1/5 and 1/4 scale warbirds, so they are bigger and heavier.
I am actually glad they do the conversion for me on the gear, so sending it out isnt a problem for me.
LADO,, looks good for the 60 size planes, if they have it in stock, and thats the problem, and there out of Country - - - -
"Down and Locked" has all different sized retracts, and its worth giving them a call to get proper information for the airplane you are looking to have retracts for.
I have actually been chewing on this scenario for over a year, and after seeing videos on You Tube, and talking with Mitch, I am definately going to use there products on all my airplanes,,,,
Thank goodness,,, I wont have to haul an air compressor around anymore, mess with airlines, clutter fueselage with the air plumbing, ect..
Im looking forward to being able to just gas and go,,,
I am still interrested in other companies info, and the above is my opinion only, as im sure there are other good products out there, but the fact they are USA based, and have products on hand and can do custom retracts is what appeals to me the most.
Give them a call and see what they have to say.
Heres there info:
"Down and Locked" phone: 828-817-0412 (Mitch)
http://www.downandlocked.com/faq.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_lH7MzJ_oY

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/5/2011 6:04 PM

mike early

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They only convert your retracts to electric, correct?

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/5/2011 7:14 PM

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yes,,, they convert them,, (they convert them or you can convert them yourself)
I have Sierra retracts im having converted for a 102" wing span P-47 Thunderbolt from Century Jet Models,
and im getting the Robart retracts for a Topflite Giant P-40,
I will use Robart tail wheel retract also.
I will save this thread and stay subscribed, and when I have the retracts in the airplane,
I will take some pictures amd also add a video to You Tube.
But,,, you will have to wait until the winter months, as I fly in summer and build in winter. (snows here in MN)

LADO offers both, full set of retracts, and conversions, and I was just about ready to go with them, but they never seemed to have products in stock, and I also read on RCU forums and a couple other websites forums about people waiting months to get stuff after they paid, and even sending there gear out to get converted and having time issues,,,, I dont like to be negative or post negative info if at all possible, but i always do research on companies im not familiar with or that are new, and that is what i found,,, Im "guessing" it was because they were new and small company, and you know how things go in this world,,,
people will always elaborate and complain about problems, but usually never bother to take time and tell you about how good something was because they expect it.
With that said, I am not trying to bad mouth LADO, im just passing along info i found.

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/6/2011 6:25 AM

mike early

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500 dollars for retracts and how much more to get them converted?

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/6/2011 7:35 AM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: mike early

500 dollars for retracts and how much more to get them converted?

I would call them for your specific size airplane for prices, and also for some other options they offer.
If memeory serves me correctly, for my big 102" wing span, 40+ lb.,, P-47, with main and tail wheel retract, 3 gear door sequencer, everything was $650..
keep in mind the size of this airplane, and that they are custom making it to fit and work perfect for the retracts.
also, i dont think anyone else makes the electric retract for the rotating gear like on a P-40 or Corsair. (i could be wrong here)
Anyone interested or wanting to know more should contact them, the guy i talked to had good information, didnt sound like he wanted to feed me a line of BS and just try to sell me something.
$500 for retracts you mentioned, keep in mind you dont need the plumbing kit, valve, tank ect. when you get the retracts, you dont even need the ram,, just the retract, strut, wheel... not sure if Robart will sell with out the ram, but thats something to consider. (Sierrra does)
as for the money, the first time i go to the field without an air pump will make me much more happy and enjoy the day more,, i wouldn't say the satisfaction will pay for itself on the first day out,, but over time, it definately will,,, thats just me,, you can probably tell Im tired of airing up retracts, hauling the air stuff around, airline problems, ect.,ect.
matter fact, sometimes im so lazy i dont even fly my planes when i go to the field, i just sit in the chair and watch my friends,, LOL (not joking)

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/6/2011 7:41 AM

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you can convert you retracts yourself with Down and Locked,,, the same as with LADO,,, and a couple other companies out there as well.
you can also send the gear to both places,, I believe the USA location for LADO is "Magnum RC"
your size airplane is more common for the electric retracts, and i would guess it would be less expensive as well.
i would like to know what you go with and how it works when you get it installed.
video and/or pics would be helpful.

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/6/2011 10:53 AM

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Give Hank Likes a shot, when looking for high quality electrically operated retracts. http://www.thelikesline.com/

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/27/2011 12:17 AM

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A set of Wingspan 60-120 90 degree retracts came today. Compared to the eflite - the trunion looks very sturdy, the ears are much thicker. It's drilled out for 1/2" struts and comes with inserts for 3/8 and 5/32 music wire. Can't tell the drive screw size, looks like about a #10 (heavier than the eflite) with a coarse thread. My only concern from looking at them is that the case looks to be cast aluminum, so the weak link might be the mounting flange. They're going into a 12 pound airplane, so we'll see how they hold up. Hope to get them installed this weekend.

Tough to take a good pic of the black retracts though.

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/27/2011 2:34 AM

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Amp,

Which ones are which?

Any difference in weight?

"Down and Locked" has no photos?

Charles

< Message edited by Avaiojet -- 8/27/2011 3:52 PM >

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/28/2011 3:23 AM

Kiwi-al

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Looking forward to your test results,Have all but given up on Lado ,never in stock.

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/28/2011 7:22 AM

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can you make a video for us to look at,, on "YOU TUBE" and post a link here for us to get to it.

How did you get a hold of Wing Span ?

I called them twice but no answer.

Im trying to find out about 1/4 & 1/5 scale gear for a P-47 and a P-40.

Like Line has what Im looking for, but its 12 volt and requires a servo and doesnt have the auto shut down if it get hung up.

Down and locked is pretty spendy, but sounds like good stuff.

The Wing Span retracts you got look good,, Im assuming they are the shiny new ones ?

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/28/2011 2:46 PM

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quote:

The Wing Span retracts you got look good,, Im assuming they are the shiny new ones ?

It's not good to assume anything. You can't beat a straight answer, especially one that is correct.

The "text" says "drilled for a .5" strut. It's the black one that is drilled for the .5" strut.

My bet would be the black one, but I don't bet.

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/28/2011 3:07 PM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Toggle

I called them twice but no answer.

The Wing Span retracts you got look good,, Im assuming they are the shiny new ones ?

Toggle.... I called there too and did not get an answer but I did leave a message. Within 15 minutes a gentleman called me back (I think he was the owner but don't remember his name). He was very pleasant to talk to and seemed very knowledgable.
The issue that I had with his retracts is the retract time is quite slow.... about 11 or 12 seconds if I remember correctly. I am building a Jet Hangar Hobbies Kfir and need a faster retraction speed (6 seconds or so). He said they were working on it and I would be notified when he had that done.

I believe that the black ones are the Wingspan ones, just becasue of the fact that they have the .5" hole for strut placement. They do not look very refined from the outside but I am hoping that they put the money into the guts.

I am having the same problem as everyone else..... I want a good quality electric retract that won't break the bank. The Down &n Locked look great but by the time I buy a retract set and send it to them to convert I would have like $700 or more in that retract setup ...... GULP!

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/28/2011 7:41 PM

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I talked to the owner at Magnum RC,,,, He does the USA based LADO stuff.

I can have him convert my stuff also, the 1/4 scale.

The 1/5th scale wasnt a problem, and I believe they have the complete set up with strut, or you can get your own strut.

Price wise, to convert the 1/4 scale i didnt really get a firm price, but the numbers he did mention sounded about $50 less than "Down & Locked"

Down & Locked has all the parts all the time, where LADO is short on supply, so for the $50 more Down & Locked sounds a little more reassuring to get it done. (thats for the 1/4 scale).

For the Topflite Giant 1/5 scale Warbirds LADO has the Retract and is considerably cheaper to go that route.

It sounds like we are at the beginning of the (new) Electric era,,, im sure in a couple years they will all have there own stuff and be great.

and there will still be the guys that swear by the air retracts.

So,,,as with most things in life,, its the hurry up and wait thing,,, LOL

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/28/2011 7:52 PM

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quote:

It sounds like we are at the beginning of the (new) Electric era,

Toggle,

FYI, electric retracts have been around only since the early 80's. Kraft made a great set and I had a couple myself.

So what "beginning of the new Electric era" is that of which you speak?

I look at it like, "It's about time they caught on."

Charles

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/28/2011 8:33 PM

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The Wingspan ones are the black ones in the pics. I signed up for their mailing list and got a note a few weeks ago saying they were in stock, so I ordered them up. Only took about a week to get here. I was lucky enough to get a set of lado actuators before they went out of business and retrofitted a pair of robarts for my 1/5.5 bearcat with them, so I'm sure the Magnum R/C ones would be great too.

Got the Wingspan retracts installed, was very easy. Since I had the elite retracts in there before, it did take a little tweaking to the mount and I had to slot the flange holes a little bit to get them to drop in. I'm using 3/8 struts and used the adaptor. Minor problem is a 3/8 bushing in a 1/2 inch hole only leaves a 1/16 wall. By the time they mill a flat on the bushing, there's less than one thread worth of grub screw to hold the strut. So I drilled a couple thru holes in the bushing and drove the trunion grub screws thru the bushing and holding the strut.

The trunion is very heavy duty and should be bullet proof. That's the part that broke on the elite retract. I think the weak spot will be the flange, which seems to be cast aluminum. Time will tell. It might be worth bolstering it up a little with a strip of 3/32 or 1/8 aluminum on either side.

My struts are cut as short as possible, so I had to face the anti-rotation links forward to clear the retract motor.

On 4.8 volts for the test, they take about 13-14 seconds to come up. I have the voltage regulator set to 6 volts in the airplane, though, and that should speed them up a bit.

Here's a link to a video showing them in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCZlfqEGEEI

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/31/2011 12:17 AM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Avaiojet

quote:

It sounds like we are at the beginning of the (new) Electric era,

Toggle,

FYI, electric retracts have been around only since the early 80's. Kraft made a great set and I had a couple myself.

So what "beginning of the new Electric era" is that of which you speak?

I look at it like, "It's about time they caught on."

Charles

You kinda answered your own question there about which ERA I speak,,,, Yes, they were around in 1980 and the technoogy for that time was actually pretty good,,, but with a few more companies starting to actually try and make them more advanced, I consider this the new ERA, because there hasnt been much if any advancement since they came out back in 1980 as you stated. (kinda fell off the radar unless you previously new of them)
I personally think the "Likes Line" is a good product, and very strong, but I wish the Likes Line was more up to date with stuff like,,,
1) auto shut off (main thing for me, so there isnt constant drain/load)
2) auto shut off if the gear gets hung up
2) Door sequencing to work with retract (some fancy little board that controls everything)
3) newer smaller sized motors (lighter/more power)

What I do like about the "Likes Line" is that he has the whole retract with strut and wheels.
If I didnt already have a set of Sierra Retracts for my next build, I would probably be using the "Like Line"
But, as I mentioned above, the newer technology with the easy (at least I hope its easy) to use circuit board where i can run all retracts and gear doors off of is the main thing for me right now.
Is Kraft still around ?
I havent seen there products,, only the Likes Line

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RE: Wingspan Electric retracts - 8/31/2011 3:32 PM

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I have the .60-120 E-flight Electric Retracts and they are very well made and worth every penny. I put a servo retarder on one of the retract connections and it delays the function. Now it functions like the German WWII type of retract. The retracts is good for up to a 15lb aircraft, and you can also put working struts on them.

Pete

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