FMS T-28 Trojan V4 Red 1400mm (55") Wingspan

[jobinseattle]

Just bought this plane a few days ago. Pretty excited to get, Had a smaller one one time. It was a great flyer. Wheels were too small for our grass field. Ended up selling it.
Question, I am not a fan of retracs. Was thinking of some way of making the wheels fixed. Anyone ever do this?

[rifleman_btx]

Well, if, you're good in the woodshop, one could pull the retract bodies out and cut and shape a piece of wood to fill the pockets, then drill a hole with a slot for the gear to ride in, bend some wire to shape, then epoxy the assembly in place. Unless you can find something preshaped, I don't know what else one could do that wouldn't mess up the wings if you come in less than perfect on landing.

[rifleman_btx]

The hard part would be the nose gear. The only problem with trying to use the retract bodies is, wait, on second thought might could just fill the main pockets with epoxy to lock them and keep them solid with the wing. And then for the nose wheel do a similar thing just make sure you don't lock up the steering system. That should make them stout and keep them from ripping out of the wing. I do fly off a really nasty field, but So far my retracts have handled it very well. The only retracts I found that don't stand up are the dynam ones. So far the eflite, flight line/freewing, and fms retracts have all been solid. Whatever you decide to do, good luck. I hope you can get something figured out.

[gbruce]

... why not just extend the retracts and then unplug them from your receiver?? instant fixed gear.. unless you don't want gear at all...then retract them and pull the receiver plug :)

[rifleman_btx]

The problem is the retract system itself will buckle. Then you're right back having to glue it again and it doesn't sound like he wants to hand launch. So in the end he will need to take measures to reinforce the pockets and the trunens so the wing and retract doesn't buckle. I just know this because that's exactly what I ended up having to do with my old f6f few years ago before I could get replacement units