Just out of curiousity, what do you guys think is a better feature on a WWII low-wing plane. Retractable gears or flaps as a 5th channel?

Also, if a plane has retracts but no flaps, how hard would it be to add flaps to the wing so there are 6 usable channels? Would it be harder to add flaps or retracts to a low wing that lacks them? I need to know for my plane selection.


Thanks!

Kevin

Due to the high wing loading of war birds I feel the best use for the 5th channel would be flaps.
Why?
Because it will reduce the tendency to tip stall and snap roll when landing.

Regarding the second part of the question. I think it would be harder to add retracts to a model without that option.
This is because you have to add the opening, and a mount for the retracts, without reducing the strength of the wing; or adding a lot of weight.

Only a handful of the WWII planes had fixed gear... if the gear's not fixed then the wheels should only be seen when on the ground or when about to be on the ground IMHO retracts are a better choice if you can only have retracts or flap's... most warbird kit's and ARF's will land just fine without flap's... maybe a bit hot but you get use to it... unless I can have both... make mine retract's.

As for adding either I'd say flap's would be easier to add than retracts. someone here on RCU even did a "how to" for adding flap's to an ARF.

John

Middle ground:

If wing loading is low, retracts are better.

If wing loading is high, flaps are better.

Better yet implement both flaps and retracts if possible.

That brings an interesting question, since flaps and retracts are both down when landing or taking off could both be setup on a single channel?

It could be done, but you would be stuck on having your preset degree of flaps on every landing and take off, kind of a pain in when you get a good head wind or a dead stick! Just my 0.02 of course, but I would choose the gear over the flaps. Not to mention that most warbirds look better when you come in a little hot for a main gear landing and drive it straight to a flawless tail down. Nothing looks better for that scale look.

I use 5 on all my retracts and flaps on 7

Can someone show me the link for How to make flaps for ARFs? I can't find it in the how to's section


Thanks!

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_34...tm.htm#3493781

Whoa.... Too complicated for me.

Does anyone know of a .60 (no bigger) ARF with BOTH flaps and retracts? Can be any type of plane.

The type of field may you are flying at should also be looked at. Our grass field works great for fixed gear but likes to eat retracts for breakfast!!! If you are flying from a smooth paved runway then retracts won't be a problem. If the runway is grass, ask the other flyers if the field is "retract friendly"! [8D]

I have two 5 channel airplanes. They have flaps, but no retracts. This is why : I fly alot. I like to do touch and goes. I maintain several airplanes in my fleet. And I build . So I don't have a great deal of time to devote to maintaining each individual airplane. I like to build my airplanes to be as reliable as possible with the fewest maintenance issues as possible. And I fly from a grass field. The flaps allow me to fly fast scale models and yet enjoy extremely tame landing speeds.
I see other people at my club with retracts. They are constantly needing to realign the landing gears to fit in the wheel wells properly. Retractable landing gear , at least on smaller 60 size models do require more attention. Retracts can be fun. They look great. Some argue that they increase performance. I personally believe they generally do not. The wieght penalty will often offset any reduction in drag. At least in the smaller models. Larger models are a different story.
Ultimately I think the choice is a personal one. How do you fly ? Where do you fly ? Are you willing to accept a models that has one more maintainance item to keep up ? Is that worth it to you ?

Maybe I am missing something, but I am wondering why the question seems to be "flaps or landing gear" why not both? With a 6 channel radio, gear is usually assigned to channel 5 and flaps on channel 6. Assuming you're radio is at least 6 channels, a plane with flaps and gear could be accommodated. If you are using 2 channels for ailerons (1 & 6), use a "Y" harness for the ailerons, which would free up channel 6 for the flaps.

DaveB

The problem is finding a .60 plane that has BOTH. I can't find one!!!


Thanks

Not hard to find! Here’s six of them, take your pick!

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHU80&P=0
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHU81&P=0
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHU83&P=0
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHU86&P=0
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHU87&P=0
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXAJU1&P=0

Oh my gosh!

Wow! Thanks! I thought they didn't exist lol.


Do you think I could learn with this plane http://www.top-flite.com/airplanes/topa0101.html ALONG WITH A GOOD INSTUCTOR OF COURSE... (And yes, I have succesfully flown others' glow war birds before)

I wonder if they have them in 0.46s?

The simple answer is "NO".

Ken

Look at the great planes Mustang 40

It's a 46 size mustang that is set up for retracts.

But it has strip ailerons which can EASILY be converted to flaps like this:

RCKen: Alright, thanks for the advice

MinnFlyer: I see... But how do the flap servos link to the flaps that easily? What do you use?

This really perked me up until I saw that they are all Kits... I don't have the time nor skills for kits yet.

Nothing like buying one as a form of insperation to make time... And I bet by the time you've built it you'll have a whole lot of new skills.


[8D]