Memories..................!!

Please don't let this detour your build or your love of this great model. This comment is not ment to kill your enthusium ! Just trying to help in anyway I can as I would love to have one of Byron Orginials P-51s !

A flying buddy and I were thinking back just the other day....

Byron retracts.... hummm " When Byron first came out with the P-51 the retracts were spring loaded to retract but used air to extend.. Sounds allright, except while flying they had a tendency to hang out of the wheel wells on positive manuvers.... due to the weight of the gear which was about 13 to 14 ozs. per each.
The air storage cylinder it self was a plastic bottle very similar to a soda bottle of 1 liter ? Caution it was esp. blow molded type and not of the standard soda bottle type. Most used about 100 to 125 lbs. air psi. to activate the gear.

Not to fret though as Byron came out with a fix for the gear thing.
The second generation retracts incorporated the fix in the kit.

First Generation Fix !

#1 use a dremel and grind out the uplock blocking webb in the cam lock plate.
#2 Replace the single action air cylinder with a double action air cylinder.
#3 Replace the single action air valve with their double action air valve.
#4 Add the required air lines..
This will cure the hanging gear of the Byron P-51

Haunt the Auctions and the Club Sales and you should come up with the retracts for it.

BTW: A Bryon P-51 Display Model is for sale on E Bay (Gas Powered) right now....Never flowen By Arizona Models... his min. bid is about $650.00
And another used and in tough shape ! Last bid today is $ 450.00 or there about?

Keep building and keep us posted on your progress, It will be great when done.


Cheers

GSNUT