The basic mechanical retract mechanism is made by Great Planes and is intended for 0.10 engine sized planes. The 3/32" landing gear wire was way too heavy so I used 1/16" wire and used a 3/32" aluminum tube bushing to adapt it. Its held in by a set screw. Tires are Dave Brown Lite Flite treaded 2" units |
This view toward the rear gives a good look at the 'C' shaped door hinges. They are cut from sheet aluminum and attached with brass #00-90 screws and nuts. The door actuator links are visible connected to the torque rod lever. They are piano wire with simple Z bends at each end. The servo is a sub-micro unit weighing only 0.19 oz. Each gear leg will have its own. |
The wooden dowel inside the upper portion is a torque rod that operates the front and rear door actuator levers and equalizes the open-close action. A lever is in the center which is pushed on by the gear leg to close the doors when the gear is retracted. A spring on the middle lever opens them back up. |
View toward the front. The bushing to the gear leg wire can be seen where it inserts into the retract mechanism. The oleo strut is the light vacuum formed piece in the kit and is just a non-functional dress up covering |
This is a view from the top side showing the gear in the retracted position. |
OK, this is not about retracts but I wanted you to see the motor mount and I don't have a separate page for that. I'd like to use these 9x7 3 blade props because they are nearly scale looking. Unfortunately the motor and gearbox won't effectively turn a prop that big. So I need to use a different gearing or a smaller prop. |
