I just obtained an old Royal Staggerwing kit that I intend to build incorporating retracts. I called Robarts, who carries retracts for other Royal kits, but the person I talked to in Sales was of no help whatsoever and offered no assistance. Does anyone know where else I might turn or have any other advice on how I might obtain them? Any other advice relative to building this kit would also be welcome.

I have one of these kits sitting on a shelf too, but I have not started construction. From the little research I have done, there are not many (any?) retract options that will work within the stock wing thickness profile. I have heard that others have increased the wing thickness profile to solve the problem. Assuming you are not going for a scale competition build, that might be OK. I was also considering a localized thickness increase or bump.

I am curious to learn what other options you might find. Hope you post a build thread.

Thanks for the input. I intend to start a build thread once I begin. I need to resolve the retracts issue first so I know how I might need to modify the Royal design structure.

You guys might consider a non-retractable version of the Staggerwing. They did exist, a number were built.

I was actually thinking about that, but a Beech Model 17 in flight with its gear up is one of the sweetest looking planes ever!

Have you look at a set of older Goldberg retracts? I'll try and measure the set I have tonight and post the sizes.