Need some info on small retracts for a 45 in twin. The plane would be around 1-1.5 kgs and was tossing around the idea of using a normal mechanical retract turned around 90 deg.

So in other words instead of the retract being in the wing and say the wheel folding towards the fuselage, the retract would be in the nacelle and move the wheel into the rear of the nacelle [ same as the mosquito]

The question I have do you think the locking mechanism would be strong enough to stand the landing weights of the plane.

Normally the locks hold the gear either up or down while the body takes the landing forces,now the down locks would have to take the forces.

Want to keep it light and strong but not cost a heap.

open to ideas and thought.

what ....29 views and no ideas or thoughts..... must be a lot of dull people out there...

I've never heard of anyone trying to turn a mechanical 90 degrees, but it sounds like it would be hard on the mechanics...and fun to watch in the test flights..

Yes you are right, it could be fun on the test flight.

might get a cheap set and do some static tests ..... might even be surprised how strong they are.

nothing ventured ..... nothing gained.

no other ideas or thought out there///////[sm=cry_smile.gif]

I've seen some rather small pnumatic retracts from Robart and Spring Air that would be my first choice.

http://www.robart.com/retracts/2-5lbPneu.aspx

LADO RETRACTS...
look into LADO.COM

Rotating corsair retracts do that. I think it would work. Spring air makes some pretty nice small gear and eflight has just come out with some electric retracts that might do the job for you. Look at Horizons web site. I dont think Lado is taking orders anymore.
Edwin

I went to the LADO website and the owner is selling his business and has STOPPED taking new orders. He is only finishing the previous existing orders. When I went through the product line-up on the website..........I had a sense that the owner is a genius, as the creativity and ingenuity of the retracts are astounding. It is his genius that is the driving force of the business. I hope the buyer will hire the original owner as a designer/consultant. That is a genius designer behind LADO.

I like the idea of doing some tests. One thought is to put the appropriate amount of weight on the retract assembly, and do some drop tests and impact tests to simulate rough landings.
Another option is to mount the gear on a high mileage plane and do some landing tests. The landing gear mounts could be held on with rubber bands, as long as they are secure.

There is a guy that comes to our warbird every year with a racing T-6. Orange and checker board scheme with a G-62 I believe. He uses 1/4-20 nylon bolts to hold his retracts in. I've been watching this plane fly for many years. Some of the jet guys told me about break away plates used on jets that preserve the wing mount but sacrifice the the break away plate in the event of a bad landing. Been thinking about that for my TF giant P-47 build. I use nylon bolts on my fixed gear planes also.
Edwin

I'm thinking going that against the grain, so to speak, the gear train isn't going to hold up to the shock. I know for a fact that Sonic, who makes electric retracts too, state right in their paperwork that they are not to operated in that manner.

Made it a bugger installing em in my Me262. I ended up moving the nose retract back so it could fold forward when retracting.