David,

this shot gives you an idea of the slight hassle in installing a FW mounted gear in the Tipo/Illusion. You have to plan it carefully for height, location and drill points before that FW goes in. Also, as you can see, I had to recess the blind nuts and screws to provide space for the retract body itself. I added a couple of lock nuts on the top screws for added security.

It works and the electric gear, in this case, is installed under pressure in a foam sheath into the bracket. However, I'm not thrilled about the mechanism being up close to the vibrating FW. This gear can also be belly mounted (with flanges) and I would have installed it like that if the plane was for my hangar and flying pleasure.

With mechanicals or pneumatics, it's a little less of a problem because the mechanism is simple and not particularly prone to vibration problems. Still, I think I might go with the belly mount approach and keep the entire retract unit below the tank floor (linkage and steering included). I suppose with a pressurized YS, you could locate the tank higher and further back but keeping the tank low is desirable in any case.

If it's helpful, I can take a shot of the actual plane too but you're using different retracts.

David.

P.S. I've got to get this bird finished this Spring!