rhklenke

My Feedback: (24)

Guys,

I have an old Aviation Design F-16 kit that I am building for a friend. I think he bought it at Florida Jets about 4 or 5 years ago. He also has the Airmagic retracts for it.

Anyway, I can't seem to figure out how the wheels retract into the wells such that they fit in and don't stick out. I think I may have them switched side-to-side or something. The instructions don't have a picture of the gear retracted. Does anybody have a picture of an AD F-16 showing how the gear looks when retracted? I guess pictures of the newer ARF would work too.

Thanks,
Bob

mair

My Feedback: (2)

My nose retract rotates 90 degree's so that it tucks in flat. The nose retract I have was manufactured by a company in Florida. (I can't remember who) The mains are Air Magic. I redesigned my nose gear retract bracket to spread the load throughout the intake area. I don't have any pictures, but I will work on getting some. Gary

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

Hi Bob,
My 16 would be the older one like you are working on. Hope these pics help. One note: replace the AD supplied main gear mounting rails with real ply wood ones.
V..

Adil Nasim

My Feedback: (61)

Hi Bob,

I don't have nay pictures of the gear bay but I do remember that mine had the BVM rotating nose unit (or Rhom unit) and the mains were Airmagic rotating as well. The mains pretty much laid flat once retracted - there is a indentation in the inlet/bypass to accomodate them a little deeper.
Try switching the legs on the mains and see if that may work.

These are some of the pictures I have since I sold the plane recently.

Hope this helps.

Thanks - Adil

rhklenke

My Feedback: (24)

Guys,

That's amazing. I was wondering if I would get any responces and in less than 1/2 hour I got three with exactly what I needed. Thanks a million guys, I really apperciate it.

Yep, the gear legs must be on the wrong sides. I'm VERY glad I checked!

Vincent, you're taking about the hardwood rails that go between the formers and that the gear mounts screw into, right? Is that because the AD one's are too soft and don't hold the screws or they split? If you replaced them with plywood, you'd have to laminate them to get the required thickness right? I could drop by Lowes and get some Oak and cut replacement rails out of that...

Bob

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

Bob,
Yes, those soft wood AD rails will crack on anything less than a perfect landing. I chopped up some oak and made new mounting rails, go for it.
V..

rhklenke

My Feedback: (24)

Awesome Vincent, thanks! This thing really goes together pretty fast - thank goodness. Now to get it done and get back to my BVM Mig...

Bob

jettset99

My Feedback: (7)

Vinnie if you put on the brakes the gear rip right!! out a must on replacing the rails, also double the hatch latches, we lost a hatch with just the single latch!!lol

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

Hi paul.
I never had a problem with one hatch latch but replacing the gear mounts during construction will save you some serious headaches later on. V..

rhklenke

My Feedback: (24)

New oak mounts fabricated - man that stuff is hard! I broke 2 drill bits drilling the mounting holes for the gear bolts and got my tap stuck in the wood once as well!

Bob