there are so many king kobra posts on this site i would assume there are some out there who could answer a couple of questions about building this kit. For one, I am trying to make sure that i don't make any mistakes on installing the recommended Spring Air retracts that I have. Has any used these retracts in a KK project? thx

I built a King Kobra with Spring Air retracts. It is long lost, so I have no pictures. The installation was pretty straight forward. I should have had a longer nosegear leg. The prop was very close to the ground. The instructions said to remove some of the wing to make room for that nosegear sweeping back. I wish I had. The square plywood retract mounts in the wing were secured with 1/4" dowels in each of the four corners going clear the foam and top sheeting. That was VERY secure. The wheel wells were lined with 1/16" balsa with the grain running up and down so they curved around easily. After coating the foam with wood glue and placing the balsa liners in there, I held them in place by blowing up a balloon as much as it would go while being pushed into the wheel well. Laugh if you'd like. It works! You will want airline restricters so the wheels don't slam up. Put one on one side and two on the other for the Spitfire look as they go up. That's about all I remember now. What a smooth ship flying by with wheels up!!!

V6

Thanks a lot vinnie, i like the ballon idea. Also, i am worried about the strut lengths. I will follow the plans and make sure the wheel ends up in the wing as shown. I bought the kit with the main retract mounts already installed. They are well done except for the dowels are 3/16" instead of 1/4". As strong as you say yours were, i assume the smaller size will be okay. Once again, thx