Best Mechanical Retracts (.40 Size)?
12-10-2012, 07:23 PM
#1
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Best Mechanical Retracts (.40 Size)?
Hi guys/gals,
Give me your suggestions for the best .40 size mechanical retracts for the money. I'm going to attempt a 30% enlarged SIG Wonder with retracts, but I've never used mechanical retracts before so I don't know where to start looking. We have a paved runway at our field, though from time to time I end up at fly ins with grass runways, so sturdiness does matter.
Give me your suggestions for the best .40 size mechanical retracts for the money. I'm going to attempt a 30% enlarged SIG Wonder with retracts, but I've never used mechanical retracts before so I don't know where to start looking. We have a paved runway at our field, though from time to time I end up at fly ins with grass runways, so sturdiness does matter.
12-11-2012, 04:00 PM
#2
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RE: Best Mechanical Retracts (.40 Size)?
I have a airborne-models Mustang that I purchased at a swap meet. The retracts have been bent so that the gear cannot retract. There is no good way to straighten the gear. I would recommend that the gear 'legs' be replaceable. Not familiar with other brands.
12-12-2012, 05:05 AM
#4
RE: Best Mechanical Retracts (.40 Size)?
T-J.... Is your term mechanical retracts just retracts that will accept a control rod from a servo, or something else? I just saw three sizes of electrical retracts ( 25, 40, and large) that look very nice at the local hobby shop. They accept a Futaba connector and I don't believe they have hit the states yet. I had a set of Kraft electric retracts on a Pica T-28 years ago and loved the slow cycle time, but they were a bit problematic. Might buy a set to see how these units are.
12-12-2012, 05:52 AM
#5
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RE: Best Mechanical Retracts (.40 Size)?
Originally, yes, that was my thought on 'mechanical' retracts, but I just became aware of the E-flite Brand of Electric Retracts that appear to be pretty promising. The only thing that concerns me about them is the repeated impact of landings. I wonder how ell they hold up as far as the electrical component of it.
12-12-2012, 09:38 AM
#6
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RE: Best Mechanical Retracts (.40 Size)?
Tango. On my US 60 I used Robart HD 608 mechanicals with a hitech retract servo. They worked really well until I landed very very hard on them. The plastic parts were destroyed but my wing stayed together. That makes for any easy fix in that I just have to buy new retracts and screw them back in. At tower they are $36 and the servo is about $20. It is an easy set up but you have to use a retract servo and not a regular servo. The newer Robart PRS system looks good and are all metal but they are about $80 a set. Even with the possible extra headaches of retracts, I am so happy with them. The plane flys much better with the wheels up and the trim changes a lot when down. Nothing looks better than a high speed pass with the wheels up. Your Wonder will be super fast without the drag. What kind of power are you putting on it?
Adam
This one might deserve a build thread.
Adam
This one might deserve a build thread.
12-12-2012, 10:43 AM
#7
Thread Starter
RE: Best Mechanical Retracts (.40 Size)?
I figure an OS55 should be plenty. On the original size Wonder, designed for a .15, people who tried to over-power it to gain more speed found out that a bigger engine didn't necessarily translate to more speed. I'm not really building mine for speed, I just always liked the design, but l also always felt it should be bigger.
