William Robison
Posts: 20269
Joined: 11/10/2002
From: Mary Esther, Florida, FL, USA
Status: offline
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Chris:
Let’s talk retracts for a moment. Everyone knows Robart, Century Jet, Rohm, and Spring Air. All these except Spring Air, until recently have been air up and air down. The popularity and safety of the spring extend from Spring Air has caused Robart to add air up spring down to their line.
On the mechanical side, directly servo operated, all the pattern fliers know the MK retracts sold by Gator R/C. And everyone has seen cheap unreliable mechanical retracts, and also some junky pneumatics from other suppliers. Most of the retracts supplied with ARF planes fall into the junk category.
The one “Nobody” knows about is the B&D brand retracts. I’ve been using them for a long time. They give you only one option, you can pick air operation or straight mechanical. No strut selection, no bigger or smaller set, all the same size. No selection of different struts, they are all hardened steel wire, but the mains as well as the nose wire have springs for landing shock. If you don’t like the steel wires, pull them out (retained by a set screw) and install a set of titanium wires from MK. You can also cut the wire off and attach a Robart or other strut if you wish, their maximum load rating is around 15 pounds – they don’t state a specification for this.
Two things make them an excellent choice for a plane in this weight range. First, they are guaranteed for life against ANY failure. A vertical landing from 300 feet with everything including the engines shattered? No problem. Gather up the remains of the gear, B&D will replace them. Get worn pivots in a set of CJM? CJM wants another $600 to replace them. Worn B&D? Free.
And best of all, call Tower Hobbies to buy a set:
B+DQ1070 B&D Pneumatic Retracts Tricycle 1 $82.99
That price includes the retracts, wire struts, the air valve, the hose needed, disconnects, charging valve, and the air tank. All you need to add is a pump to charge the system. Let’s see Robart match that. CJM match it? They’ll never come close.
Bill.
< Message edited by William Robison -- 6/15/2006 7:08:37 PM >
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All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft >> RE: Berkeley B 26 
RE: Berkeley B 26 - 
) I might do it though if I get desperate. 
