thinking of getting these for my skymax f-14, thye have them for sale seperately under aircraft parts for 82 bucks, though don' t see the nose gear for sale... they are like the previous models with the functioning sprung struts and scissors, reports say they are pretty robust, though the steeering mechanism needs some tweaking...

Most recent set of PZ312s (not the pz514s) etracts from HK have beefier worm screw now and a green QC sticker that most likely doesn't mean anything...

Hopefully the electronics hold up better, they stank in the last batch

danny from sonicelectric showed me a prototype today of a set designed for 10 lbs plus...when i first saw them i thought they were pneumatic...all aluminum construction and the machining was very nice...if i manage to get a set, i'll post some pics...

Are they anything like the ones to be coming from smartmodel? They are converting theirs to electric. Kin says they are to be out shortly. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1244905

Originally Posted by Maxthrottle

Are they anything like the ones to be coming from smartmodel? They are converting theirs to electric. Kin says they are to be out shortly. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1244905

the ones danny showed me were different...they were about 5" long with wider v-shaped flange mounting tabs...due to their size and weight, i'm not sure if they would be suitable for any foamy...also, the retracts don't plug directly into the rx but rather into a control module ala the epf vesion...

sounds like large rotating retracts for giant scale warbirds.

Does anybody know who sells these struts? I'd like to try them on a Starmax 90mm F-18...

Thanks in advance.

Mike

Originally Posted by Viper1957

Does anybody know who sells these struts? I'd like to try them on a Starmax 90mm F-18...

Thanks in advance.

Mike

You can find those on E-bay by searching for "Oleo Struts."

Richard at AirshowRC has them too although they may not be on his website. Just call or e-mail him.

But, I've seen these struts in person and they're probably may be too big for your plane...

Originally Posted by Viper1957

Does anybody know who sells these struts? I'd like to try them on a Starmax 90mm F-18...

Thanks in advance.

Mike

http://www.smartmodel.com.hk/product...51&third_id=86

or

http://www.rcskylite.com/categories/Struts/

Thanks guys! I checked out the dimensions and, yes, they will be too long for the Starmax F-18.

They look very similar in design to the struts on the Hobby Lobby Super Hornet but obviously, those struts must be significantly shorter.

Cheers!

Mike

Freewing electric Retracts (See pitcure Sample below).
Weight per retract w/o strut: 40g (1.4oz)
Height bottom of mount to top: 24mm (.95")
Width of Retract: 18mm (0.71")
Length: 67mm (2.64")
Strut Mount Rod Dia: 4mm

Mount Holes;
Width:29mm (1.14")
Length: 24mm (.95")

Already available via RC-Castle or Hobby lobby.

Opinions:
These appear to be a unique retract different from RCLanders and Eflite.
The design is like RCLanders in that the strut rod is mounted and locked in place via two grub screws thru the brass alloy trunnion axle. Also the motor, gear, electrics and overall size is the same.

Freewing improved on the Trunnion design, a larger metal lock block and thinker heavier worm gear.

The Freewing Trunnion (almost identical to the RCLander) has been improved on in that in the down and locked position there is a flat surface on the tip of the trunnion that rests on top of the metal lock block (which on the Freewing is made of thinker metal). On the RCLander the thin lock block was designed to push the sharp pointed trunnion tip and hold it; it was not designed to lock the trunnion in place other than by the worm gear.
The Freewing I find is superior in that even if there is a failure the trunnion can not rotate because the metal block holds it in place and can not move since the worm gear hold the block in place.
The Lander the Trunnion slipped off the tip of the thinner metal block.

The Lander is distinguishable by it brass mount hole option to be used to mount the retract or by bolting the retract to a mount plate made of metal or plastic. These plates can be mounted either from the top or the bottom.
The Freewing mounts and retract body are one piece and can only be mounted conventionally from the bottom.

Based on observations of Eflite 15-25 with the 4mm strut rod (though the Eflite trunnion is of the similar design to the Freewing but is wider) and the fact that both Eflite and RCLanders rate there at 3.5kg or 7.5lbs, these being of similar construction will likely rate the same.

It increase the load range heavier 5mm struts could be accommodated with a 1mm sleeve. The Trunnion axle is 6mm thus drilling it out to fit a 5mm rod may weaken the strength of the metal axle mount.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by techspy

You say Hobby Lobby already has these for sale? Can you provide a link, I can't fond them on their website. Or any other US retailer?

This is from my BB so I can't look up the links easily. Check the lastest Freewing F-18 landing gear at Hobby Lobby. You can purchase it as a separate part with the struts for under $70+.
Not sure what the hold up on Hobby Lobby's order for their EF2K v3.

I pointed out to them that these RClander copies were 23mm tall but the mount area in the Euro Wing was onl 19mm. Not sure if they were reworking a shim or recutting the wings or just delayed which is often the case.
Or
RC Castle has the Euro Version. Its just the struts that are differently between them.

Found them thanks. I already have a set of the Changesun on the way but like the Freewings because they have a 4mm pin, which is the size of the struts I already have. I will give the Freewings a try from HL if the Changesun don't hold up.

Originally Posted by techspy

Found them thanks. I already have a set of the Changesun on the way but like the Freewings because they have a 4mm pin, which is the size of the struts I already have. I will give the Freewings a try from HL if the Changesun don't hold up.

The ChangeSuns are 3mm rods; unless they made some updates. Thus the 5.5lb limit.
I think they are better as rotating gear. Locking the strut with the grub screw in plastic is their weekness if the model is getting above 5 lbs.

Otherwise if you go to the DSR thread some have added a metal sleeves to go over the end of the trunnion with couplers to hold it in place.
The ChangeSuns have a lower profile which make them a good fit in thinner wing or low profile apps.

These are a good mid range 4.7Kg or 10lb PZ 514 (RCLander) Etracts.
Don't let the $8.00 price tag fool you. These are the heavy version of the PZ 312s sold as RCLanders. Of similar design the worm gear and trunnion are heavier.

Working voltage: 4.8~6V
Angle limit: 90 degree when retracted
Operating temp: -10~50C
Dimensions: 73.5x44x28mm
Weight: 54g
Shaft size: 5mm
Not suitable for a plane heavier than 4.7kg

PZ 514