Well, you know...
I used to think that EVERY warbird I would ever have WOULD HAVE retracts, no matter what size it was, from Cox .049 powered jobs to 1/4 scale gas-burners. But after flying for a few years, I have relaxed my opinions about them. Consider; when you are flying by at 90 mph, you are concentrating on flying the plane, you don't really stop and think 'Boy, that sure looks dumb with the wheels hanging down!'. It's really not that obvious while the plane is flying anyway. Also, retracts are an additional expense that you're going to have to pay. It's not so bad with .40-sized mechanicals, but the bigger the plane, the more they cost! And it's another system that you will have to install, maintain, and repair from time to time. Another aggrevating thing to check and adjust before you take off. And another thing to consider is that they add weight to an already heavily wing-loaded airplane.
I can just hear all the warbird guys grinding their teeth![:@]
OK! The other side...
It sure looks cool when the plane lifts off the runway and the gear tuck up into the wing! Do that low pass down the runway and peel off just as it goes past you... there's the bottom with the wheels set into the wing, right where they should be! And once you get used to working on them, it's not that difficult to check them and keep them working right. I have both mechanical and air-powered gear that have worked quite well for years. And the cost? Well, we're not in this sport to save money! I usually tell new students that model airplane flying is a big hole you throw money into. It's just one of the things you accept when you take on warbirds!
So, there you are. It's up to the individual to balance the pros and cons and decide...
BTW, I have 4 warbirds with retracts, and 3 without. They range from .40 size to .91 size and of various scale accuracy. Most fly well (one is a real brick!)
[8D]