Been flying for a while now and feel confident to fly a sport scale warbird. The problem is retracts. I can`t see flying a model WWII fighter without them, but they appear incredibly complex to install, adjust, etc. I`d go with factory installed, but everybody generally thinks they`re junk. Any out there that can handle moderately smooth grass?? Maybe WM? Thanks for any advice.

I am NO expert in retracts since most all my Planes are either sport or non-millitary scale, but I have noticed that sometime problems can occur when using "cheap" retracts. In my own observations I have concluded that this is one item that a person would do well to spend a little money on unless a person is proficient at one wheel landings, or belly landing. I am sure someone with more experience in regards to retracts can point you in a direction that will be to your benefit.

Doesn't matter whether you spend alot of money or very little, the problem for system problems is inherent in retracts. Regardless of how much you spend you will probably encounter some problem or another at sometime. I prefer air systems to servo operated although they require plumbing. No matter what you use you will find yourself tweaking something on the gear eventually. Just deal with it, nothing is sweeter then a scale warbird cruising low on the deck with gear up. Don't be afraid of them. I recently bought the H-9 P-40 despite all the negative press on the gear, mine have been virtually worry free. Just remember not to slam the plane down and check for alignment often.

It takes no more skill assembling a set of retracts than it does hooking up and getting the throttle set right. However there are a few things to remember. If your engine quits and you know your not going to make it back to the runway, leave the retract up. Never ever even think about landing in the rough with the gear down. You'll rip them completely off along with most of the wing. If you leave them up, minor if any damage at all.

All retract mounts in an arf need to be beefed up with epoxy so they will hold up better and not rip out. Case in point. I have a WM P-51 about 5 years ago (still have others, nice planes) anyways. I slopped a pile of epoxy on and around the inside of them. Flew it for a couple years. One day the battery failed. I was making a gear pass to make sure the gear was down when it quit. that plane was still going about 80mph and went off into the north forty and went in darn near fullspeed. We we found the "remains" it was like it went through a wood chipper but that gear was still mounted in those blocks!

If you have a very rough landing area. I would advise against them.

I have both mechanical and air retracts in my squadron. Both are suitable in the right situation. I would suggest a WM P-51 46. It has mechanical retracts that are fairly short and stout for the size of the plane. They come installed, so all you have to do is install the retract servo.

there is no doubt that retracts require attention, especially on a rough field or average landing technique. Try a set, either you will like them and continue to use them or not.

good luck,
Brian

Do not be afraid of retracts. Your first set might require some head scratching, but the rest should easily fall into place. You got to get your feet wet eventually. Try retracts, and you will never look back.

I totally agree with Richard L., once you have fitted and used retracts, you'll want them on everything. As people have previously said, go for a decent make rather than the cheap ones and your problems will be minimised.

Good luck and remember if you have any problems, there are thousands of people here to help you!!

Pete

Any of those thousands of people willing to lend me the money for a decent set of retracts. A decent set of pneumatic retracts, which is what we're talking about when we say decent, is upwards of $250 for a 60 size plane which is more than the plane in some cases. That's ridiculous! I have a Hangar 9 Corsair and as most people know, the stock retracts on them are how shall I say this, JUNK! I ended up just locking them down into place and now they don't collapse like they use to. I don't have $250 to spend on a "decent" set of pneumatic retracts and see no other cost effective alternative.[:'(]

A "decent" set of retracts doesn't necessarily mean a $250 pair, I consider Robart to be decent (although I'm sure some will disagree) and I paid £70 for my 609HD's 3 years ago and they have never let me down, even after being ripped out of the wing twice when I was still learning the nuances of landing a warbird. If we're talking Corsairs, I have a set of Robart 615's in my Flair (GSP) Corsair, which cost me $130 in the States, which I think is a good deal. Sure you can pay twice that on Sierras and the like if you want, but I for one can't justify that and will stick with my Robarts which continue to give me the utmost reliability.

If you need to spend $250 on retracts for a .60 size bird you're being well and truly ripped off my friend.

I feel compelled to add, without relying on endpoint adjustments.

If you go with the recommended 4-stroke engine for a .60 size warbird, in most cases you will end up spending more money for the engine than for the plane itself. This is no different than spending more money for a good set of retracts. What most people and I dislike the most is seeing a nice warbird doing loop, slow roll, and fly-by with the gear hanging down. That is just not right.

Also, someone posted something that a while back I thought was so true.

"The more money you try to save, the more work you create for yourself". A good set of air retracts may be $250 on a .60 size airplane but I don't have to worry near as much about whether they come down, lock and hold up even on a semi-rough landing. You don't HAVE to have them but they make life easier and flying the plane more enjoyable.

If you're going to do it, do it right and get the best set you can afford otherwise you may be burned on retracts for your entire R/C "career".

How about the B&D retracts?
Tower sells a set complete with everything for under $100.00. Several of the people in the "Twin Engine" post area have recommended them highly.

Greg

A warbird without retracts...GIVE ME A BREAK?[:'(]
I wouldn't think of it!

After many years, I am happy to say that the retracts that I designed 15 years ago will be available very soon.

First let me say that I do not profit from them, so I'm not breaking any rules by recommending them - Now, here's the story behind them:

I used to work in a Gov't Machine Shop. During Desert Shield/Storm, our airplanes (C-5 Galaxy's) were away for a year supporting the effort. Needless to say, when you make parts for airplanes, and they're not there, you don't have much to do (Yea, I know - Your Tax Dollars at work) So to relieve the boredom, I started playing with a retract design. Since there was nothing else to do, I kept modifying them and improving them until I had the best set I have ever seen. I started to make several sets, and everyone who saw them wanted them.

It used to break my heart every time this subject came up at RCU because I had a great set of retracts but I couldn't recommend them because they weren't available (I don't work in a machine shop anymore).

But in the past few years I talked to several manufacturers, and last summer 3DX Hobbies agreed to start producing them. They will be avalable very soon (Like in a week or two) here: [link=http://www.3dxhobbies.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=63]3DX Hobbies - Retracts[/link]

Here is a link to a short video of how effortlessly they work (Two gear will easily opperate from a single STANDARD servo! )

[link=http://204.96.183.34/RCU/grafx/Retract.wmv]Retract Video[/link]

Right now there is no setup for Nose gear (As I only use Retracts on Tail-Draggers) but maybe if they sell well, a Nose unit may be in the future

I'm in for a set. The video was very convincing!
John

I wonder if they would work okay in the Top Flite Series of Warbirds. Some struts would be a nice addition.
Brad

My dad used a set in a TF Mustang with an OS 91 and he won't use anything else (He scarfed up the Lion's share of the sets I made)

Also, the Struts are 3/16 wire and can easily adapt to robart struts

Thats okay, I had several hundred hours flying someplace that involved getting something to eat.



[quote]ORIGINAL: MinnFlyer

I used to work in a Gov't Machine Shop. During Desert Shield/Storm, our airplanes (C-5 Galaxy's) were away for a year supporting the effort. Needless to say, when you make parts for airplanes, and they're not there, you don't have much to do (Yea, I know - Your Tax Dollars at work)

An old time RC guy once told me , "did you ever hear the saying , dont dig a $25 Dollar hole for a $300 tree "? The same goes with retracts , I think they are great , if you want major major constant tinkering , go with mechanical , if you want tinkering but limited to once and a while , get air retracts , if you really want as littel problem as possible get air with working struts .

I disagree. Air retracts work great at first, but in time, leaks can develop, and they must be recharged before each flight. One of the biggest problems with mechanicals is the massive amount of strain that gets put on the system. These retracts work with VERY little pressure, so there is minimal strain on the pushrods and the servo.

Once my retracts are installed and adjusted, I've never had to mess with them again - with the exception of having to occasionally straighten the struts (which you have to do with ANY retracts with wire struts)

Minn,
How heavy of a plane can your retracts support?
I am building a Twin-Air with two OS 46FX engines.
This plane would probably come out at 10 pounds max. Advertised at 8.5 without retracts.
Would they support this plane?
I could probably use my Dave Brown nose wheel retract in conjunction with yours.

Greg

No problemo

How much will they cost and will they fit into a H9 p-51?

3DX is selling them for $59.99 and yes, I have already put a set in an H-9 Miss America