J Oyog

I am trying to acquire the parts for my P-47 and came across two sets of retracts at Tower. One set are the http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...7&I=LXES05&P=K and the other are the http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...7&I=LXAYN0&P=K The second set seem to be more stout but cost almost twice as much as the first. I have checked finish weights of this plane and the seem to come out around 10 or so lbs when fully loaded. Any advise is appreciated, thanks in advance.

Richard L.

My Feedback: (24)

Scroll down a few lines and read this thread: [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Springair_in_my_TF_P%2D47/m_1738647/tm.htm]Springair in my TF P-47[/link]

Connery

Everything I've found on here and the "other" site says to go with the 606's and that's what I will be putting in mine. I will also be adding these http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXES65&P=M to help with the scale appearance. Since this will be the first warbird that I will end up flying, I'm not going wild with the details so the 606's will fit the bill. Later models will probably have better quality, better looking retracts.

Richard L.

My Feedback: (24)

The 606's are made out of plastic. Eventually the plastic will crack. Plus, the 3/16" wire stubs are the weak links and will bend. It is best to use all-metal retracts that will take RoboStruts directly without the need for music wire stubs. If you are looking to save a little money, then the 606's will probably be adequate. If you are looking for a long lasting, durable set of retracts, then look at Spring Air or Robart 551RS.

J Oyog

Will the 551RS's fit in the wing as a drop in sub for the 606's. From the TH site the 551's seem to be 1/8 th in taller/deeper. The manual for the P-47 calls for straight struts but from what I have seen on the P-47 the struts are not straight but are offset with the scissor links pointing forward.

Also, is there any way to lighten up the rear of the plane. I have heard these come in tail heavy and people have had to add a lot of nose weight even with an OS 120. I was planning on using a YS 91 AC since that is what I have laying around. Anyone know if I will definately have to add nose weight and if so how much? I would rather redesign things to keep the plane light than add un-neccessary dead weight.

Connery

With your information I went back and looked at both the Spring Air's and the Robart 606HD. The Spring Air 704's are listed at $155 and the Robarts are listed at Tower for $69.99. What I failed to notice before though is that the Robart's do NOT include the air kit whereas the Spring Air's DO. If you add the cost of the Air Kit ($52.99 at Tower) the difference is now only $33. I think heavier duty metal retracts are definatley worth the extra $33. So I will be going with the Spring Air 704's with the Robart 650 straight struts.

milkman-RCU

My Feedback: (1)

Excellent choice!

I have a pair of the plastic Robart's for a Skyshark SBD and the metal Spring Air for the TF P-47. There really is no comparison. The plastic Robart's look cheap! I guess the larger metal Robart gear are more on par with Spring Air?

I was debating about getting the Robart struts or the new Spring Air struts. Anybody seen the Spring Air 3/8" struts?

Connery

If you go to the Spring Air site and scroll down the page you will see pictures of their straight and offset struts.

milkman-RCU

My Feedback: (1)

I had found the Spring Air struts, but they say they are "New" and I don't recall anyone mentioning exerience with Spring Air struts. Just wondered it they were comparable to the Robart. They are about the same price.

J Oyog

So is everyone using the robart straight struts on this plane like called for in the plans? I thought the struts on a real P47 we offset with the scissor links facing forward. Please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks.

Richard L.

My Feedback: (24)

I will be using offset RoboStruts on mine. Where did you get the idea that everyone is using straight struts?

gbzflyer

My Feedback: (2)

To ask Richard L's. question another way, will the landing gear fit completely in the wing if you use either style of strut, straight or offset?
Mike

Connery

The reason why most people use the recommended straight struts is because the offset struts are made with a large offset like the P-51, whereas the offset on the real P-47 is much less. I read somewhere (but I've slept since then and can't remember where) that there are instructions that tell you how to bend the straight struts to have the slight offset of the P-47.

J Oyog

I hate when this happens. I just spent about half an hour typing something and trying to post it and when I do I get the server or my logon timed out and all of what I typed is gone. So here it is again...

Went out to the robart site and found the 530 series of retracts that are only 1 in deep and they accept the 7/16 struts so this would be the way to go if I were to use the robart set up. I saw the 606's at the local shop and they are plastic which I have heard were strong but I prefer metal. If you were to break a set of 606s the money spent would have bought a set of 530's.

Now as for the struts.. the robart 660 straight struts or the 663 offsets. The question here is will the offset struts fit in the wing all the way when retracted?

Richard L.

My Feedback: (24)

Keep in mind that the strut retracts away from the air piston on the 530 series. These retracts are more suitable for Spitfires and ME109's since the pistons are mounted facing toward the fuse to have the wheels retract outward. I have the 551RS in my TF .60 size Mustang, so I don't see why they wouldn't fit the TF P-47.

J Oyog

Richard,

Thanks for the info. I was not aware the mechanisms on the 530's were opposite. So the 551's will be what I get for this one.

ptgarcia

My Feedback: (36)

I just learned this myself when I spoke with the guys from Robart at the past AMA convention in Ontario. They recommended the 551RS and 7/16" RoboStrut (just as Richard L has recommended in the past). So, thats what I ordered!