F82FAN

My Feedback: (10)

If you've read almost ANY of the 54 other pages of this thread you would know the answer to that question.
All factory KMP gear has been crap and the Gen V are crap for an airplane this big and heavy. The valve they use is crap, the airlines are crap. Let's see... Need I say more?
You will waste $200 (US) and will hold your breath each time you fly wondering what part of the system will refuse to participate this flight.
There are a couple of US vendors that make replacement systems.
Seems like most of us went with the Sierras, even though they are BIG $$$. Worth every dime to those that have them!
This is NOT to disparage the unfortunate distributors of the KMP/ESM/YT line at all - they keep asking for better but the Chi-coms don't give a rats patootie.

If you want to know what I REALLY think of them, just ask...

drifter

My Feedback: (53)

Wrong.
The gear now cost $300. But, if he wants mine I will reluctantly let them go for $200 -and use the money toward Sierras.

Drifter


[quote]ORIGINAL: F82FAN


You will waste $200 (US) and will hold your breath each time you fly wondering what part of the system will refuse to participate this flight.
There are a couple of US vendors that make replacement systems.

Capt G

My Feedback: (8)

The Gen 5 gear that came with mine look pretty good. I will however replace the airlines and valve with Robart's and the filler with Spring Air (compatable with all my others).

Capt G

My Feedback: (8)

The Gen 5 gear that came with mine look pretty good. I will however replace the airlines and valve with Robart's and the filler with Spring Air (compatable with all my others).

Capt G

My Feedback: (8)

Tail glued on and faired in. 4-40s and 2-56 control hookups and horns.

F82FAN

My Feedback: (10)

You've been warned!!!
Just don't ever bounce it, land it firmly, or fly off of grass, maybe you'll be fine...

splatoman

Thanks to all I have just sent for the aircraft and the gear at a realy good price so I will go with the ESM gear for now. I had the Gen 3 gear in my Typhoon and they were so bad[:'(] but the Gen 5 in the B25 look good yes I did have to replace the valve and airlines but the one and only flight so far of the aircraft the gear worked OK.

F82FAN

My Feedback: (10)

We have a new president that got voted in because he "looked good" and see where we are headed??? SNAFU
Should go with Sierras!

Capt G

My Feedback: (8)

I'm having trouble believing that we're talking about the same gear . These are very robust looking- as good as any i've seen.

ghost.fr

president is good, way how life just need a major make over and then all will be fine ! consume less and better and life will be easier ;-)

later
g

CHARLES WINTER

Capt. G, Good pictures - TERRIBLE RETRACTS - Those air cylinders look like the same size as all the past POOR retracts. Those air cylinder will not lift your main wheels unless you use 120lbs. A test you want to make with any landing gear system is have the gears extend with the airplane upside down. The landing gears you have won't do that. The Sierra retracts have air cylinders twice the size of your gear. I can get 3 full retractions with my airplane upside down at 100psi as a starting pressure. Something to think about.. Col. Chuck Winter

n9331v

F82 Fan


Well said...............................

Capt G

My Feedback: (8)

Now that got my attention. Since the mains are not installed yet, I clamped one upside down in a vise and using my little Robart hand pump, found that the gear - with wheel- extended (up) with 40 psi on the gauge. You know, if the gear are an older set, the o-rings in the cylinders may have dried out preventing easy actuation. Had to fix this on my Hellcat. New o-rings and lube and they work fine. My Gen 5 gear appear to be brand new and seem to work fine - so - pressing on.

CHARLES WINTER

Capt. G, We shall all PRAY for you... What a Great Hobby.... All most as good as beating your wife... Col. Chuck Winter

Keithfl

I think the air pressure problem with the older retracts was because they were spring-down affairs. To retract the gear, monumental pressure was needed to opose the spring force AND pull up the gear. With the Gen 5's being air up & down, that should no longer be such an issue.

CHARLES WINTER

Hi Keith, I will still PRAY Col. Chuck Winter

F82FAN

My Feedback: (10)

I'll join you Col.
It appears we have among us some eternal optomists. I trust they have it correct!
Wally

Capt G

My Feedback: (8)

Prayers always welcome. BTW - the gear is supplied with a small volume tank. I will use a large Robart tank for more volume. Might have been part of your problem .

Keithfl

I'm not saying I'm optimistic. I didn't even attempt to use the original retracts in my kit - I fly from a pretty rough grass strip & there's just no way they would have survived. I've killed enough retracts to know that something that looks "strong enough" probably isn't, and something that looks "bulletproof" may just survive. The air pressure issue was a further frustration, that has subsequently stopped me re-using them in a smaller airframe.

Maybe the Gen 5's will survive on a smooth strip? Time will tell.

For the earlier generation gear, my most optimistic thoughts are that I can scavenge some bolts & bushings for the spare parts box.

F82FAN

My Feedback: (10)

Capt & Kieth,
Just playing with you guys because we've been down this road.
I have the largest tank Robart sells in all of my twins. It's an automatic upgrade, along with the valves and air-lines. Was thinking of a shuttle booster tank if that didn't get it!
Regards,
Wally
BTW... If looks could kill, the factory gear is DEAD next to the Sierra's. This is a main next to the original one. I also have the Gen V's that were still in the plane when I took this one, but they are they same size and build quality of the originals.
See?

kinverflyer

If the retract in the photo is the 'gen V' you are referring to they are not the same as those being advertised as 'gen v'.
http://www.ytinternational.co.uk/retracts.htm

F82FAN

My Feedback: (10)

Hi Kinver,
I think we are all beating a dead horse here.
The one in my post above (as stated) is an original. The Gen V is the same size - exactly.
I looked on your link at the Gen V. That's the same as mine.
Please note at the bottom of that link page: For aircraft UP TO 16lbs.
The Tigercat will weigh between 24 and 30lbs
That's darn near 100% more than they are recommending.
Good luck!

CHARLES WINTER

Hi T-Cat Builders, Completed my aileron UP-DATE. I now have 6 large Robart hinges on each aileron. I also use a wire that runs through all the hinges, this allows the removal of the ailerons plus eliminates the Wallowing/Sloppiness of the rivet in each hinge. I have soldered a Push/Pull brass unit (Taped 2/56 on the ends of each wire). I can insert the wire and put a piece of tape over the hole. If I must remove the wire all I do is remove the tape and screw in my 2/56 Push/Pull handle into the wire receiving unit and pull out the wire. Getting ready to get in another TEST FLIGHT. Col. Chuck Winter

Keithfl

While on the subject of Robart hinges, they can be colored with fabric dyes. I threw mine in a pot with some dark blue Rit dye, and about 30 minutes later had a set of dark blue hinges. When doing the hinging, some dark blue paint on the exposed timber, plus dyed hinges, leaves nothing in there to catch the eye.

Of course, only if you've got too much time on your hands...

CHARLES WINTER

Hi T-Cat builders. Trying to send some F-102 jet pictures. Col. Chuck Winter