In reading all the posts regarding the weak landing gear in the H9 150 size P-51, one of the options was to use Robostruts. I don't have any experience with these. Can someone explain the benefits of them and how they work? Do they offer strength to the exsisting landing gear? They certainly would be a less expensive option to this problem.

robostruts are a shock absorbing landing gear, simulating full sale "Oleo" struts. (Oleo struts work a lot like a car shock absorbers) Because there is a sprng action... they can take shock load off the retrac mount. They can also help prevent bent struts.

Mechanical retracts by nature are a pain in the tail. There isn't a good way to make a LIGHT retract that has good shock absorbing ability. When you relplace a bent wire strut that has a 6 inch long torsion spring section (that's why that LONG part parallels the wing spar) with a system that has a small single coil... you have taken out up to 80% of the spring action.

That is why retract struts get bent a lot.

Thanks. I have seen quite a few suggestions as to which retracts are the best to install on the P51. If I decide to get this plane I need to figure out which ones will require the least amount of mods.
Time for me to learn air systems and retracts!

Robostruts will offer strength to the stock wire struts since Robostruts are larger in diameter and more stout. As a result, they won't flex as much. The functioning oleo struts can smooth out rough landings (up to a point). To install, you would cut off your existing wire struts above the coil and slap on the Robostruts. You might need to cut them to proper length. Since they are heavier than the stock struts, your retract servos will need to work extra hard. I would go with a set of air retracts myself. Both Spring Air and Century Jet carry retracts for the 150 size H9 Mustang. The CJ oleo struts are already cut to the correct length. The Spring Air oleo struts will need to be cut.

Between the two, Spring Air or CJ, which require the least amount of modification to install ?

Thanks

They both require the same modifications to the existing mounting rails. Like I said in my previous post, you do not have to cut the struts on the CJ. However, Spring Air oleo struts look better.

What a great resource of information this site offers.

Thanks again for taking the time to answer my newbie questions regarding retracts

I recieved these from Century jet