Anybody out there built the Tiger 60 as a taildragger with mechanical retracts in the wing? I got to thinking that retracts would be cool, but don't want to spend a whole lot of money on them (otherwise I would've just got the deluxe kit), so a simple set of mechanical retracts would probably do the trick. The question is... Can retracts be mounted far enough forward in the wing, where it's still thick enough for them to retract into, and still be forward enough to handle well on the ground as a taildragger?

Any thoughts?

TIA,
Wh00ps!

I'm in the covering stages of one right now. I installed the old style Goldberg retracts, and they work smooth.

Put them in about half way between the leading edge and the spar. Use triangle stock to streangthen the mounts after you put 1/16 ply on both sides of the ribs you mount the gear mounts to. Make sure they are strong so they don't rip out. You will like it. Adds lots to the plane. Saw a set of mechanicals cheap on ebay today.

Now, the question being: Which retracts to use? The Hobbico's are cheap, the Great Planes are made for a 60 size airplane, and Dave Brown's are another 20 bucks, are they worth it?

Or any other recommendations I haven't listed?

Wh00ps!

The retracts I used are up on E-bay right now. Do a search for Goldberg retracts and you'll find them. Just be sure the axle centerline is even with the leading edge, or you'll nose over when landing!

I would avoid the Hobbico, they are not very strong.

Try to find some that will accomodate 3/16" LG Wires instead of the standard 5/32".

Up to about 12-15 pounds you can't beat the D&B retracts for price or quality.

AND they are guaranteed against anything, forever. Or, at least, so long as D&B is in business.

Available from, among others, Tower.

Bill.

The Tiger 60 Deluxe comes with robart pneumatic retracts.I got one of the first kits around here. I had nothing but problems with the retracts themselves. One of the mains had an air leak, and the struts were vere soft. It's almost dificult to make a bad landing with a Tiger 60, but even the best landing would often bend the struts. I've heard this same complaint from others. If they haven't corrected the problem since then, I don't recomend the kit. You'ld be better off by getting a regular kit and putting in good after market retracts yourself.
The last straw was when I put a main gear into a gopher hole. Of course that would have bent any gear.

h8w8n

Thanks for that info! I was considering one of these kits. We don't have gopher holes yet, but I'll watch out for mole mounds for sure!

That's what I have, the regular kit. I'm not able to fork out the cash for the deluxe kit just to have retracts. But then I got to thinkin' that I *could* afford a set of mechanical retracts and a servo... So an idea was born

I guess I'm prolly gonna go with the Great Planes 60-size mechanical retracts for the mains. Sullivan tailwheel.

whoops!
I sent you an e-mail about the cowl but I don't know if it was sent as I got a wierd message afterwards, so....... The article on cowling a Tiger 60( or a Four Star) is in the September 2000 R/C Modeler. It has a yellow Steerman on the cover.

Well, I'm about to start construction of the wings for the Tiger 60, and trying to plan the retract installation. Getting them mounted and lined up correctly is no problem. Here's the problem: There's not much room ahead of the spar for a wheel to retract into.

So, for those who have said that they've done it, how did you work around that? From what I can tell, the max would be about a 2.25" wheel, retracted right against the spar, and that still might stick out a bit near the leading edge. Any larger wheel, and I'd have to either move the spar or come up with something else creative.... Help? :stupid:

Thanks!