New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
#427
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RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
Robarts are decent but do have some weak spots, it's an old design, really. Personally I have not had any issues with my gear folding on grass fields but I do take care to be delicate on landings. Oleos definitely help cushion the airframe and gear mechanism too. Recently I did modify the area where the half gear meshes with the side support of the gear by hammering in a dent which put more of the side support deeper into the half gear when in the full down position. This is the weak spot as the gear often does not mesh very well with the side support and when a sharp rap to the gear occurs it is here that will allow the gear to fold. Anyway, I did this by first, disassembling the gear, opening a vise a small bit to support the gear side support and, using a small flat bladed screw driver and hammer dent out the area between holes that the half gear fit into when the gear is extended into the down position. This seems to work very well but you will have to test fit as you go. Too much of a dent and the gear will not actuate smoothly Attached are some crappy images of what I did, hopefully they will help describe more clearly.
#428
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RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
Robarts are decent but do have some weak spots, it's an old design, really. Personally I have not had any issues with my gear folding on grass fields but I do take care to be delicate on landings. Oleos definitely help cushion the airframe and gear mechanism too. Recently I did modify the area where the half gear meshes with the side support of the gear by hammering in a dent which put more of the side support deeper into the half gear when in the full down position. This is the weak spot as the gear often does not mesh very well with the side support and when a sharp rap to the gear occurs it is here that will allow the gear to fold. Anyway, I did this by first, disassembling the gear, opening a vise a small bit to support the gear side support and, using a small flat bladed screw driver and hammer dent out the area between holes that the half gear fit into when the gear is extended into the down position. This seems to work very well but you will have to test fit as you go. Too much of a dent and the gear will not actuate smoothly Attached are some crappy images of what I did, hopefully they will help describe more clearly.
#430
RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
Why not swap them out? Just curious why your selling the Lados instead of swapping out the Robarts. I see that Magnum RC no longer sells them but is now selling the Wingspan retracts.I only could find them on the Lado site and Ibelieve they are in France now. They don't say on their web site. Anybody know of a US. dealer?
ORIGINAL: CorsairJock
I've had many successful takeoffs and landing with Robart 615s, almost exclusively on grass runways, and have NEVER had them 'fold up'.
Sierra is not without issues either: they don't rotate linear (most of the rotation occurs within the 1st half of retraction).
In my opinion tho, for the P-40: Lado retracts set-up for 3/16" dia strut wires are the best way to go.
BTW: I have a such a set for sale: $150 shipped. I installed Robart #102 mechanical rotating retracts in mine, but wish I had gone with the Lados.
ORIGINAL: raptureboy
Good luck with the Robarts. If your flying off grass they tend to fold up on you. If you can swing the money go with the Sierra precision gear, well worth the money and frustration from having to repair your plane and fix the gear each time they collapse.
Good luck with the Robarts. If your flying off grass they tend to fold up on you. If you can swing the money go with the Sierra precision gear, well worth the money and frustration from having to repair your plane and fix the gear each time they collapse.
Sierra is not without issues either: they don't rotate linear (most of the rotation occurs within the 1st half of retraction).
In my opinion tho, for the P-40: Lado retracts set-up for 3/16" dia strut wires are the best way to go.
BTW: I have a such a set for sale: $150 shipped. I installed Robart #102 mechanical rotating retracts in mine, but wish I had gone with the Lados.
#431
RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
Nice idea, AO I do have the 615's with the struts and 4" wheels and most of my landings are pretty smooth but our field has been a little rough this year and when the wheel torques in a little the links give out. I just ordered 2 complete sets and with shipping they cost me $37$11 to ship fedex when they could put them in an envelope and for $1.50 mail them USPS. I just got in some Wingspan electric retracts but
I 'm sending them back because they have so much slack in them when they are down. They are constructed really well with heavy links and side frames, but the rotation ball link setup allows to much rotation of the strut back and forth. It's a shame because I really like the simplicity of being electric and being able to easily adjust the delay stagger. You have to wonder why Robart has not improved on these after all these years and offer something inbetween these and their giant scale versions. with so many planes coming out now in the 12-14lb weight range, these can barely handle the 10lbs they are rated at.
I 'm sending them back because they have so much slack in them when they are down. They are constructed really well with heavy links and side frames, but the rotation ball link setup allows to much rotation of the strut back and forth. It's a shame because I really like the simplicity of being electric and being able to easily adjust the delay stagger. You have to wonder why Robart has not improved on these after all these years and offer something inbetween these and their giant scale versions. with so many planes coming out now in the 12-14lb weight range, these can barely handle the 10lbs they are rated at.
#432
My Feedback: (90)
RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
ORIGINAL: raptureboy
Why not swap them out? Just curious why your selling the Lados instead of swapping out the Robarts. I see that Magnum RC no longer sells them but is now selling the Wingspan retracts. I only could find them on the Lado site and I believe they are in France now. They don't say on their web site. Anybody know of a US. dealer?
Why not swap them out? Just curious why your selling the Lados instead of swapping out the Robarts. I see that Magnum RC no longer sells them but is now selling the Wingspan retracts. I only could find them on the Lado site and I believe they are in France now. They don't say on their web site. Anybody know of a US. dealer?
ORIGINAL: CorsairJock
I've had many successful takeoffs and landing with Robart 615s, almost exclusively on grass runways, and have NEVER had them 'fold up'.
Sierra is not without issues either: they don't rotate linear (most of the rotation occurs within the 1st half of retraction).
In my opinion tho, for the P-40: Lado retracts set-up for 3/16'' dia strut wires are the best way to go.
BTW: I have a such a set for sale: $150 shipped. I installed Robart #102 mechanical rotating retracts in mine, but wish I had gone with the Lados.
ORIGINAL: raptureboy
Good luck with the Robarts. If your flying off grass they tend to fold up on you. If you can swing the money go with the Sierra precision gear, well worth the money and frustration from having to repair your plane and fix the gear each time they collapse.
Good luck with the Robarts. If your flying off grass they tend to fold up on you. If you can swing the money go with the Sierra precision gear, well worth the money and frustration from having to repair your plane and fix the gear each time they collapse.
Sierra is not without issues either: they don't rotate linear (most of the rotation occurs within the 1st half of retraction).
In my opinion tho, for the P-40: Lado retracts set-up for 3/16'' dia strut wires are the best way to go.
BTW: I have a such a set for sale: $150 shipped. I installed Robart #102 mechanical rotating retracts in mine, but wish I had gone with the Lados.
I have also determined that the Lados would NOT be appropriate for a Corsair or Hellcat, but would be ideal for a P-40 (due to the landing gear 'pod', which allows it to be moved much farther forward than it could be in a 'podless' wing).
#434
My Feedback: (90)
RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
ORIGINAL: raptureboy
Nice idea, AO I do have the 615's with the struts and 4'' wheels and most of my landings are pretty smooth but our field has been a little rough this year and when the wheel torques in a little the links give out. I just ordered 2 complete sets and with shipping they cost me $37[img][/img] $11 to ship fedex when they could put them in an envelope and for $1.50 mail them USPS. I just got in some Wingspan electric retracts but
I 'm sending them back because they have so much slack in them when they are down. They are constructed really well with heavy links and side frames, but the rotation ball link setup allows to much rotation of the strut back and forth. It's a shame because I really like the simplicity of being electric and being able to easily adjust the delay stagger. You have to wonder why Robart has not improved on these after all these years and offer something inbetween these and their giant scale versions. with so many planes coming out now in the 12-14lb weight range, these can barely handle the 10lbs they are rated at.
Nice idea, AO I do have the 615's with the struts and 4'' wheels and most of my landings are pretty smooth but our field has been a little rough this year and when the wheel torques in a little the links give out. I just ordered 2 complete sets and with shipping they cost me $37[img][/img] $11 to ship fedex when they could put them in an envelope and for $1.50 mail them USPS. I just got in some Wingspan electric retracts but
I 'm sending them back because they have so much slack in them when they are down. They are constructed really well with heavy links and side frames, but the rotation ball link setup allows to much rotation of the strut back and forth. It's a shame because I really like the simplicity of being electric and being able to easily adjust the delay stagger. You have to wonder why Robart has not improved on these after all these years and offer something inbetween these and their giant scale versions. with so many planes coming out now in the 12-14lb weight range, these can barely handle the 10lbs they are rated at.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=1438302
THIS MODIFICATION WORKS, MUCH BETTER THAN I EXPECTED!
#435
RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
I saved this along time ago back when I was building a Hellcat. Definite improvement, I used helicoils instead because I found them easier and cheaper to come by. The gear tooth arrangement is definitely a weak point and it would help if they made the side frames out of 1/16" aluminum instead of stamped steel. Here are what the wingspan retracts look like and are a drop in replacement for the 615's.
#436
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RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
Hey guys, where can I buy remote glow fixture for the P40? I am going to use the 120 pumped from OS. I have never used a remote glow fixture before. I don't want to make a hole in the cowl for the glow igniter. I would like to put the glow igniter just above the air inlet valve like on this blog: http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=1336
Scroll down to the finishing part.
#439
RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
+1 this works great. Igot in 2 nice flights last evening and the landings were great. Really helps to take some of the slack out. Changed out all the set screws for 6-32 button cap screws also.
ORIGINAL: CorsairJock
Aluminum Overcast, some people (including myself) accomplish the same thing by shortening the upper/ front connecting tube, thereby insuring tighter gear mesh when the gear is down. About 1/32" works.
Aluminum Overcast, some people (including myself) accomplish the same thing by shortening the upper/ front connecting tube, thereby insuring tighter gear mesh when the gear is down. About 1/32" works.
#440
My Feedback: (90)
RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
ORIGINAL: raptureboy
[img][/img]+1 this works great. I got in 2 nice flights last evening and the landings were great. Really helps to take some of the slack out. Changed out all the set screws for 6-32 button cap screws also.
[img][/img]+1 this works great. I got in 2 nice flights last evening and the landings were great. Really helps to take some of the slack out. Changed out all the set screws for 6-32 button cap screws also.
ORIGINAL: CorsairJock
Aluminum Overcast, some people (including myself) accomplish the same thing by shortening the upper/ front connecting tube, thereby insuring tighter gear mesh when the gear is down. About 1/32'' works.
Aluminum Overcast, some people (including myself) accomplish the same thing by shortening the upper/ front connecting tube, thereby insuring tighter gear mesh when the gear is down. About 1/32'' works.
#441
RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
This is a great source for hardware. Don't be shocked by his shipping charges though because his cart system is out of date and can't figure out how to add 1 shipping charge. He will email you with the normal shipping charge around $5 http://www.jrhobbyhardware.com/shop/
#442
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RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
I will stay with the 615 then. I will also be using Robostruts. Im just curious, the retracts are for 10 Lb planes. I see that most of your planes are weighing more than that. Is this a problem?
#443
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RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
ORIGINAL: Antoinebobrob
I will stay with the 615 then. I will also be using Robostruts. Im just curious, the retracts are for 10 Lb planes. I see that most of your planes are weighing more than that. Is this a problem?
I will stay with the 615 then. I will also be using Robostruts. Im just curious, the retracts are for 10 Lb planes. I see that most of your planes are weighing more than that. Is this a problem?
1) how much the aircraft weighs. More weight = more stress on the landing gear (and airframe)
2) runways condition: personally, I prefer grass runways, and use the 615s with great success. BUT, things like 'varmit holes' can cause havoc when they 'swallow' wheels. I'm not condoning grass runways, they just work better for me because that's what I am used to. What I am saying tho: they need to be smooth/ free of obstacles and irregularities.
3) (and this is probably most important) pilot skills/ ability to land warbirds smoothly and consistently. A mistake can take out any landing gear in otherwise good conditions (I've witnessed CenturyJets get trashed on a Hangar 9 Corsair, coming in way too hot on in otherwise good conditions).
I like the 615s, have had good success with them on my Corsairs, BUT I also perform mods on them (listed elswhere in this thread). I consider them to be the best option for Corsairs, but since I haven't tried them on a P-40 yet: cannot say the same for them.
#446
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RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
Hey guys, I just finished mounting my engine but I can not find an engine exhaust header. I have an O.S 120. I would like to find a 90º elbow and a 10 cm flex pipe. Anyone know where I could order this?
#448
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RE: New Top Flite P-40 60 sized arf
Macs has some nice stuff as well. Download their catalog as the website seems to be hard to dig through right now. I have their 90 degree header and corrugated tubing and with a little grinding was able to hide it completely along with the rest of the engine and muffler in the cowl. Mine is mounted on the YS 120ac.
http://www.macspro.com/dave/dir.asp?subdir=4-cycle/
http://www.macspro.com/headers_side.asp and this source.
I have their muffler on mine....good quality stuff it seems.
http://www.pspec.com/details.asp?ProdID=52&category=4
http://www.macspro.com/dave/dir.asp?subdir=4-cycle/
http://www.macspro.com/headers_side.asp and this source.
I have their muffler on mine....good quality stuff it seems.
http://www.pspec.com/details.asp?ProdID=52&category=4