In the "old" days of pattern when Rhom Airs ruled the main reason for a leak in the system was guys using an xacto knife to cut the air lines from the brass fittings. Even though it didn't look like it, each one of these "cuts" would result in a groove being cut in the fitting and a resulting leak down. Fix was simple.. DON'T CUT THE LINES OFF.... so if you have old Rhom Airs, look at the fittings first. Soap bubbles are a great way to find leaks. Pattern ships without retracts just aren't pattern ships. Yep, I know everything now looks like a pregnant guppy with everthing hanging in the wind.... but then again... pattern doesn't even have a fifth as much participation as it used to.... the way the planes look is probably part of it.

BTW... I also use MK mechanicals as well as Dave Browns which work great with very little maintenance.... but the retracts I treasure are my set(s) of Kraft electrics.... so cool... and I've never had one fail on me.....

take the time and learn to master retracts... it's worth it

Dan
Carolina Custom Aircraft