B&D Retracts
 

Does anyone know if B&D is still in business?

RE: B&D Retracts
 

Jeff
YES, I see them at the Toledo show every year. Talked to them and said there was a misunderstanding w/ Tower. Try your LHS. If no luck I have a NIP tri-gear air set if you need them.

RE: B&D Retracts
 

I did a little google searching...I came across these links:
http://www.advantagehobby.com/produc...cat=691&page=1

(Discontinued??)
http://www.advantagehobby.com/produc...cat=691&page=1

B&D
Phone: (304) 753-4636

They look pretty nice from what you can tell in the pictures...Are these pretty good retracts??

Thanks...

Chuck

RE: B&D Retracts
 

Chuck,
Yes, These are what I put in all my pattern ships. They seem to bullet proof. I do add air line restrictors to that slap up/down look.

RE: B&D Retracts
 

They are great retracts for pattern type planes. Well built, smooth, and they used to have lifetime warranty. Their valves were far better than the Rhom type valve.

RE: B&D Retracts
 

I have used B&Ds a few times...... good gear. Pretty good value on the compelte system.

Only issue that may come up - the mounting flanges on these gear are about 3/32 - 1/8" thick. As opposed to the 1/16" thick flanges on most air and mechanical gear with metal frames. This just means your gear mount plates have to be a bit deeper below the wing skin for proper installation. Not really a problem, just something to keep in mind when building.

Note the nose gear dimensions as well. They fit in 90% of normal installations without issue - but the nose unit is a bit larger than the typical light-weight mechanical nose gear.

Bob

RE: B&D Retracts
 

Hello Chuck,
I used B&D mechanicals exclusively on my Pattern ships ever since I first tried them. The long locked-range at both ends makes them ideal for plug-in wings, too.
Typically I would use the Bob Violett 5/32" struts in them Those are among the best around.
Dean Pappas

RE: B&D Retracts
 

Thank You All...I had never heard of the B&D Retracts before...

I'll be flying off a grass runway...I have a few sets of el-cheepo retracts but kinda figured they wouldn't last too long...I need more sets anyhow so I was thinking of trying Supra Retracts but I don't see a nose gear available...And they are expensive!!

Only other "Higher Quality" mechanical retracts I know of are Dave Brown's which I would not mind...They were my option if I couldn't do Supra...

But these B&D's sound pretty dang nice...

Thanks Allot!!

Chuck