Quint Thanks for your response After getting all hyped about the Royal Staggerwing I found out the kits are going for 300. + so I am going to build mine from an old Aristo-craft kit. 45"wingspan . The problem is that the wings are flat bottom so I am going to use a set of cores from and old Pulsar Bipe kit ( and acrobat from 80"s which I will modify to fit. They have a symetrical airfoil and are thicker 1"1/8" so that will help with the retracts. I think a saito 70 will work fine and a set of either spring -air or great plans mechanical for the retracts. (no tail wheel retract) Do you have any other suggestions? (its funny ,my first post on this subject brought no response and then both you and Rich came in together....thanks. By the way you can send me your phone # and i will call you if you have some additional info and don't feel like typing....silas