If you are looking for a 1/5th F4F Wildcat planset, retracts, cowl, custom cut full, or short kit you need only order Bates 1/5th scale F4F. The canopy will be available soon. We've discussed doing a seperate fiber glass canopy frame as well.

Here's a close up of the full size F4F right hand strut. Note the mass strut is the "beefier" strut arm on the left, the one closest to the rear of the airplane.

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This photo is of a Karlson F4F gear. Karlson's is a 90/120 size design shown here for refence showing how retract components are positioned with F4 in the background.

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Here's a quick look at retract systems available for the Bates F4F Grumman Wildcat:

First is the Century Jets stainless and aluminum retract which arrives at your doorset mounted on a ply-cross-beam for insertion between F3 and F4 on the Bates F4F.

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The 4-way valve is already mounted ready for air line.

Here is a head on view of the Century Jets 1/5th scale retract for the Bates F4F Wildcat.

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Photo shows everything "except" air cylinders which appear in the image above with the black F4. There are two small air cylinders, one on either side which lock the gear down beyond center.

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The side view clearly shows the mass strut to the "right" and the pivoting axle post of the lower strut section. In this photo the gear faces left with the mass strut being closest to the rear of the plane.

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An oblique view of the right hand lower strut mechanism.

Next is the only image we have of the Robart F4F retract. This image is of the 1/3rd scale one-off for Mr. Walker's F4F. Robart is using this image on their web site to illustrate their 1/5th gear for the Bates F4F Wildcat.


I received a call Wednesday night after Bob saw this discussion. He said he was overnighting a set of drawings for the 1/5th scale F4F gear....however we've yet to receive it. Looking forward to images of Bob's 1/5th scale F4F gear. I'll place them here, on Bates' web site and BuyAero.com with our laser short kit, full cut kit, cowl and soon to be available canopy.