I'm now interested in KMP(Condor Model) P-47 120 size.
It's price is very attractive since air retracts come with
the airplane and the glass fuselage looks good.
One thing I'm worrying about is overall quality of the
attached air retracts and a retract angle of 90 deg.
If the retract were solid enough to use, I would go for
it right now. If it were not practical, I would go others
like ModelTech or GSP(CMP) P-47 and get retracts
separately.
What do you think of the attached retracts?
I appreciate your opinion.

Tsutomu Mabuchi

The early (1st release) version of their retracts, with the nylon cap ends were junk.

The upgraded ones are a lot more solid , but I have heard reports that the odd pair leak badly, though this may be because of faults in the air connectors.

If you visit the KMP Website, you can find pics of the upgraded units and compare them with the ones in the kit to see which version the kit your looking at, comes with.

Those that have decided to "junk" the supplied units (usually 1st version) and given feedback on this forum seem to favour either Century Jet or Robarts retracts. Opinion of which is best, seems to be divided.

I can give no opinion on the retracts you mention.

A buddy of mine has the KMP P-38 Lightning. The retracts it came with (the first release) were junk...they leaked badly. He ended up getting the upgraded gear from KMP and didn't have any problems, that is until the plane was stolen, but that's a different story...

Thanks, woody and pt.
I will go for KMP P-47 keeping away from old version retract.
And I would use Robart or CJM air line and connector.

Tsutomu Mabuchi

Here's a pic of New V Old. New on the left.

Yes, thank. I also checked KMP web site.
I would buy P-47 from a distributor in Japan.
They import it from ESM(the same company as KMP imports
P-47 from) and the retracts from another company( also the
same company KMP imports the retracts from), then sell them
together in Japan like KMP does in the States.
So, I don't know if the retract is totaly the same as KMP's,
although they say the retract is a new version. They don't know
KMP's version of the retract.
ESM(KMP) P-47 sold in Japan comes with a variable speed valve
and costs about $60 higher than in US.
That is not so bad for me when the shipping cost from US is taken
into account.

Tsutomu Mabuchi

I received ESM(KMP) P-47 today.
The retract looks the same as KMP 2004 version, although
the color of the air tube is different. The air tube seems a bit
coarse. The retract itself looks solid and there's no free play.
The retract angle is 90 deg, so I will shim the mount to
make up for the dihedral angle. The gear well has enough
depth to do it. The front left is the speed controller.
Since the 5.0mm(a bit thicker than 3/16" ) piano wire strut
seems durable enough for this airplane, I would try this
retract at present. The tires came with is so tiny(less than
3" ), that I would repalce them with 3 1/4".

Tsutomu Mabuchi

I have heard that these new ESM retracts will take Struts... Does anyone know which ones thes will take?

Rob in Oz