ORIGINAL: pimmnz

Well, I know nothing about the retracts listed, but I have been using Hobbico mechanicals in my Superstar, Atlas, Curare, Blue Angel and Warlord. These are all .60 models and have never known the luxury of a paved runway. I use two retract servos to simplify the installation, the models have been flying for at least 5 years now and other that the odd bit of lubrication have needed no maintenance in that time. I started out with 4 cap head 3mm screws holding each unit in and I'm now using two 3mm nylon screws per unit. Just seems to work. 5/32 legs are tons strong enough, bend them on a landing and you will be rebuilding the model as well. It just seems to me that people spend a lot of time making sure that the retracts are anchored so well that they leave no room for the compliance needed to allow the stuff to survive normal wear and tear. Spend a bit more time with the model 'in the circuit' and do lots of touch and goes until you can put it down at the right speed and attitude every time and the brand/type of retracts becomes a non issue.
Evan W.B #12.