Official FlightLine RC 2000mm B-24D/J Liberator Thread

[Gilatrout]

I just came across this awesome cockpit flight video of Witchcraft. Enjoy

[Grossman56]

Dang, Taz is right! I ad that happen on my Freewing P-51 a few years back and completely forgot about it. One to file in the memory banks, Thanks Taz!!

Grossman56

[Hugh Wiedman]

Sounds to me like you have put the gear leg in the trunnions to far!!
when you put them in to far, and then cycle the retract, it will only move to half mast and then stall the retract. It may also bend the screw drive.
It may only be a mater of 1mm, but that will do it.
Also if it is working on the bench and then you fly it and it becomes stuck as you are describing, it could mean the gearleg was slightly loose and a small bump on takeoff could have pushed it that 1mm.
Ive seen it happen many times. People replace the retracts, but don't check for clearance between the end tip of the gear leg and the screw drive.

LURCH

Once again Taz101, I have to Thank you so much. Your input on the posts going too far into the trunnions was definitely the issue. Without your help, I may have never figured it out and probably only flew the planes without ever retracting the gear. I was getting so frustrated with it, I may have left both the Olive and Silver one's in the hanger to collect dust. Motion just got back to me on the 3 retracts I sent back, 1 was bad but the other 2 that always got stuck were fine. You are my hero. The technicians at Motion didn't know what was causing it, so maybe you should rent yourself out as a consultant to the rest of us numb nuts.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Taz101: You were spot on with the issue of the retracts getting stuck. Flew it 4 times last Thursday and the gear worked perfectly!! One of the suspension struts had a post that was maybe 1mm too long. I would have never figured it out without your help. Motion didn't guess what it was either, so YOU DA MAN!! Back to loving this plane.

[dkalwishky]

Man, still having major problems with the retracts.

Have you tested the retracts with a servo tester to rule out everything with the plane? I had an intermittent issue with my left main and replaced the control board in the plane and that solved my problem. When I pulled the board from the fuse it had corrosion on the bottom.

EDIT: Never mind, I saw the post where you replaced them. Glad you got it sorted out.

[Grossman56]

Hey guys, the Collings Foundation airplanes were in town, here's some video we shot of Witchcraft taking off and landing, I'll post the pictures later. Unfortunately, they were closed for the day, but we got some goods shots anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFO2eBs06K8

Grossman56

[Hugh Wiedman]

Sounds to me like you have put the gear leg in the trunnions to far!!
when you put them in to far, and then cycle the retract, it will only move to half mast and then stall the retract. It may also bend the screw drive.
It may only be a mater of 1mm, but that will do it.
Also if it is working on the bench and then you fly it and it becomes stuck as you are describing, it could mean the gearleg was slightly loose and a small bump on takeoff could have pushed it that 1mm.
Ive seen it happen many times. People replace the retracts, but don't check for clearance between the end tip of the gear leg and the screw drive.

LURCH

I removed the suspension strut and you are exactly right, it looks like the post goes too far in, possible affecting the screw drive when deployed. I ground about 1 1/2 mm off, re-sanded it, and now when installed with the strut all the way in, the post just comes to the surface of the hole. No way it can interact with the screw drive now. With the strut all the way down, even a ruff landing won't push it down further as it is already bottomed out. Going out tomorrow to give it a fly around, along with my Spitfire, 1700mm P-51 and Corsair (another Warbirds day). I'll probably throw my Yak in to practice a little more 3D. Thanks again Taz, it's nice to know there are some bright and helpful people out there willing to give their time and expertise to a numb nut like me.

[rifleman_btx]

As you know the issue I had with a product was resolved. In a way I never thought would have happened. But to me it shows the caliber of their devotion to customer satisfaction. For a fact, my experience alone probably created 25 to 30 more customers who never would have taken a look before now. When things happen that is just so out of left field no one can tell how or why until you dig into it. This is what happened to me, and I wrote out a ticket, they asked me for a few things and I gave them everything they asked, once I gave them what they needed they replaced the problem product promptly. Tell me who else would do such a thing this late in the game for an item purchased back almost 3 months ago? The way I see it, dont bitch, be professional about it, and everyone wins, they get word of mouth advertising, and you get ready to fly again. That's how it is with motion and how it should be everywhere.

[radfordc]

I swear I see people on this forum say "wow I can't believe you're having problems with Motion!" so often it hurts my brain.

All too often, "problems with Motion (or any other dealer)" is really just user error or misunderstanding. I know people who curse the dealer for any and all problems they've created.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Sounds to me like you have put the gear leg in the trunnions to far!!
when you put them in to far, and then cycle the retract, it will only move to half mast and then stall the retract. It may also bend the screw drive.
It may only be a mater of 1mm, but that will do it.
Also if it is working on the bench and then you fly it and it becomes stuck as you are describing, it could mean the gearleg was slightly loose and a small bump on takeoff could have pushed it that 1mm.
Ive seen it happen many times. People replace the retracts, but don't check for clearance between the end tip of the gear leg and the screw drive.

LURCH

Lurch, you may have found the issue. I know it was not the wiring, as I replaced all the circuit boards and wiring with a new spare I had and the issue persisted. On the Motion video regarding the suspension strut upgrade, they did say to put it in ALL THE WAY, but that just may be interfering with the screw drive. Thanks for your input. Man, there are a lot of smart pilots out there!!!

[TiredIronGRB]

Sounds to me like you have put the gear leg in the trunnions to far!!
when you put them in to far, and then cycle the retract, it will only move to half mast and then stall the retract. It may also bend the screw drive.
It may only be a mater of 1mm, but that will do it.
Also if it is working on the bench and then you fly it and it becomes stuck as you are describing, it could mean the gearleg was slightly loose and a small bump on takeoff could have pushed it that 1mm.
Ive seen it happen many times. People replace the retracts, but don't check for clearance between the end tip of the gear leg and the screw drive.

LURCH

Welcome to Hobby Squawk Taz, I would say that you hit the nail on the head with this one.

[taz101]

Man, still having major problems with the retracts. Ordered 3 spare retracts a few weeks ago and none of them worked properly. The original retract (which was a replacement since the one installed with the plane was dead) I had to replace because after 6 flights it was working slowly on the bench, making funny noises and working intermittently . Replaced it with retract #1, but it too didn't work smoothly and was intermittent. Installed #2 which worked on the bench, but this weekend on the first flight it stuck in half position-no recycling changed it. Had to land with 2 1/2 retracts (couldn't even belly in with one down half way). Fortunately, I was able to keep it on the runway so it didn't cartwheel, but did brake two props and messed up my customized front turret (which fortunately I was able to repair last night). Replaced that retract with #3 last night and it did the exact same thing-always sticking at half mast. I thought it must be another problem, so I changed out all the circuit boards and wiring with a spare set, but no change. Even plugged it into the other side, but still half mast. At this point, I thought only a Viagra can help it, but had one more retract spare that I got when I bought the plane and it worked beautifully (on the bench-over a dozen times).

Taking it out again maybe Thursday, but a little apprehensive about that gear. After the retract fail on the first flight this weekend (and replacing the broken props), I still flew it 2 more times but left the gear locked down. I didn't notice any difference in the handling (still rolled fine, did Cuban 8's and other non-bomber maneuvers), so if you have to leave the gear down, no problem. Called Motion and Derek was very helpful, set up a ticket, and am sending them back for testing. He also told me they would check the 3 replacements before sending them to me and he would add a couple of props. WOW, nice to deal with Motion. BTW, I do love to fly this plane and with the customized painting, decals, multi-engine sound card, operating turrets and cockpit/pilots/gunners modifications it gets lots of attention.

Sounds to me like you have put the gear leg in the trunnions to far!!
when you put them in to far, and then cycle the retract, it will only move to half mast and then stall the retract. It may also bend the screw drive.
It may only be a mater of 1mm, but that will do it.
Also if it is working on the bench and then you fly it and it becomes stuck as you are describing, it could mean the gearleg was slightly loose and a small bump on takeoff could have pushed it that 1mm.
Ive seen it happen many times. People replace the retracts, but don't check for clearance between the end tip of the gear leg and the screw drive.

LURCH

[MikeT]

I swear I see people on this forum say "wow I can't believe you're having problems with Motion!" so often it hurts my brain. After a certain point you guys are going to have to accept that either Motion's quality has gone downhill over the years, or there is a *really* strange coincidence going on. I personally have only had 1 issue with Motion (which in my opinion they didn't handle very well) and don't have anything against them, but it just astonishes me how often I've seen that exact same sentiment repeated.

In fact just between the last person complaining in this thread alone and this post was another person complaining about Motion's new standard of announcing parts/components that never see the light of day. While for most people I would imagine it's not a huge deal, but if you bought a specific model because of those announced features then it can become a very big deal.

Seems to me that complaints about Motion quality along with customer service are few and far between. I keep tabs on this stuff. Wish I could deal with them wholesale so I could sell them thru the LHS here. You want issues look at FMS.

Mike

[rifleman_btx]

I want mine with automatic wipers lolLOL

[Hardway]

Lexus

Goof Ball!!! LOL Lexus R/C cars and boats... :Silly: CALL BR-549

[xviper]

Lexus

When did Lexus become an RC company? :Confused:

[OV10]

No way that many retracts in a row are bad, there's either something in your wiring/wing connectors or the mount that holds the retract is distorted.

AGREED ;)

[TiredIronGRB]

Man, still having major problems with the retracts. Ordered 3 spare retracts a few weeks ago and none of them worked properly. The original retract (which was a replacement since the one installed with the plane was dead) I had to replace because after 6 flights it was working slowly on the bench, making funny noises and working intermittently . Replaced it with retract #1, but it too didn't work smoothly and was intermittent. Installed #2 which worked on the bench, but this weekend on the first flight it stuck in half position-no recycling changed it. Had to land with 2 1/2 retracts (couldn't even belly in with one down half way). Fortunately, I was able to keep it on the runway so it didn't cartwheel, but did brake two props and messed up my customized front turret (which fortunately I was able to repair last night). Replaced that retract with #3 last night and it did the exact same thing-always sticking at half mast. I thought it must be another problem, so I changed out all the circuit boards and wiring with a spare set, but no change. Even plugged it into the other side, but still half mast. At this point, I thought only a Viagra can help it, but had one more retract spare that I got when I bought the plane and it worked beautifully (on the bench-over a dozen times).

Taking it out again maybe Thursday, but a little apprehensive about that gear. After the retract fail on the first flight this weekend (and replacing the broken props), I still flew it 2 more times but left the gear locked down. I didn't notice any difference in the handling (still rolled fine, did Cuban 8's and other non-bomber maneuvers), so if you have to leave the gear down, no problem. Called Motion and Derek was very helpful, set up a ticket, and am sending them back for testing. He also told me they would check the 3 replacements before sending them to me and he would add a couple of props. WOW, nice to deal with Motion. BTW, I do love to fly this plane and with the customized painting, decals, multi-engine sound card, operating turrets and cockpit/pilots/gunners modifications it gets lots of attention.

No way that many retracts in a row are bad, there's either something in your wiring/wing connectors or the mount that holds the retract is distorted.

[dahawk]

Lexus

[TiredIronGRB]

I swear I see people on this forum say "wow I can't believe you're having problems with Motion!" so often it hurts my brain. After a certain point you guys are going to have to accept that either Motion's quality has gone downhill over the years, or there is a *really* strange coincidence going on. I personally have only had 1 issue with Motion (which in my opinion they didn't handle very well) and don't have anything against them, but it just astonishes me how often I've seen that exact same sentiment repeated.

In fact just between the last person complaining in this thread alone and this post was another person complaining about Motion's new standard of announcing parts/components that never see the light of day. While for most people I would imagine it's not a huge deal, but if you bought a specific model because of those announced features then it can become a very big deal.

Name a RC company that is even close to Motion RC in quality and customer service.