Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

[farmflyer]

I want to change the retracts on my Flyzone FW 190 to electric retracts. I'm thinking about the set for the Freewing FW 190 1120mm or maybe the eflite set. Anyone changed theirs out for electric retracts. I really love how the plane flys but I'm tired of working on the landing gear. Looking for some alternative.

[Flygirl]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

Hey FF! You mentioned that you wanted to change the retracts to electric retracts... What kind is the stock retracts? You have my curiousity piqued... :-)

[farmflyer]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

Hey FF! You mentioned that you wanted to change the retracts to electric retracts... What kind is the stock retracts? You have my curiousity piqued... :-)

They are a very scale looking mechanical retract opperated by large wire from a single servo with a bell crank. They look good but made of brittle plastic and break easy. The problem I have most is keeping them adjusted. If you crab in a little on cross wind landing on smooth asphalt they almost always collapse. I have to adjust them after each day of flying which requires removing the wing. It's just not worth it any longer.

[Flygirl]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

Thanks FF! I can see why you want to swap them out...!

[Loneflier]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

Hey FF! You mentioned that you wanted to change the retracts to electric retracts... What kind is the stock retracts? You have my curiousity piqued... :-)

They are a very scale looking mechanical retract opperated by large wire from a single servo with a bell crank. They look good but made of brittle plastic and break easy. The problem I have most is keeping them adjusted. If you crab in a little on cross wind landing on smooth asphalt they almost always collapse. I have to adjust them after each day of flying which requires removing the wing. It's just not worth it any longer.

I agree with you on the FW190. Great flying plane, but the retracts are weak, and as you noted, if you get the least bit sideways, they will fold. I fly on grass, and so far have not broken or had to adjust them, but they have folded on me a couple of times. If you find a way to replace them with servoless retracts, please let us know how you did it, and what was required. I will be watching this post anxiously!

[farmflyer]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

I'm really thinking on trying the Freewing fw190 1120mm ones with the replacement mounts for the new style retracts. If I put the mounts in then replacement if required would be easier. I was hoping someone checking these threads had done something similar. I guess I'm as good as any to try it first. When I get them I'll do my best to post pictures and instructions.

[farmflyer]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

Would anyone happen to know the length of Freewing 190 struts. From the outside of the servo base to the axle when closed?

[farmflyer]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

Thanks to Brad from MRC I have the dimensions for the Freewing 190 retracts they are a go. I started today it took 15 minutes to remove old gear 1 remove opperating wires from servo 2 remove screw on gear pivot 3 cut plastic where wire attached with wire cutter slide wire out of wing 4 with a dremmel cut main gear hinge this has a brass rod all the way through I cut down on the front side only and pulled it out 5 the first arm where wire was attached is held with a screw on under side cut it through the plastic with dremmel and pull it out 6 the small tubes the wire ran through to servo can easily be pushed out to allow a entrance for new etract wire and done 15 minutes. When I get the new retracts I'll post the installation. Sorry can't figure out how to add photos.

[farmflyer]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?


Thanks to Lon and my son here are some pics of gear removal.

[Flygirl]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

Now I see what you meant by mechanical retracts. Thanks!

[farmflyer]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

I got the new retracts ordered shouldn't be long before I get them installed.

[farmflyer]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

They've arrived should get to them this week. Looking forward to challenge of putting them in.

[farmflyer]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

Ok I got one side ready to glue in it took me 4 hours to get the one side cut out and ready. This is a very extensive mod and some of the foam in the upper half of the wing is only about 1/8 thick you have to be very careful there. I burned a small hole through on the top because of the plastic coming off of the dremmel blade. On a good note the alignment with the gear down looks spot on. I'm thinking this route may not be the best answer but I'm committed now so I'll have to finish them. I was also able to use the stock wheels and covers the ones that came with the Freewing retract set were a little to big.

[farmflyer]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

I got the other retract installed today this one went a lot better only took about an hour. They work great the forward rake puts 2/3 of the wheel in front of the leading edge. These retracts have long leads you will only need a short Y to reach the receiver. I formed the flange on the mounts to fit the wing and glued them in. I also shimmed the 2 in board screws with a APC prop adapter to keep the wheels from going to far up in the wing in the up position. All in all I think it's worth doing.
[hr]

Here's a couple of pics.
[hr]

[Loneflier]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

Looks like a nice job there Farmflyer. Hope they hold up better. I may end up doing the same thing with my FZ 190 once the stock ones get so broken I am tired of fixing them.

[farmflyer]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

Thanks Loneflier I haven't been able to fly with them yet they have no suspension but the increase in forward take will be good for those flying off grass. It takes some time to do but like I said earlier they're worth it. Now if I have one fail remove 4 screws un plug and replace it. The strut rod on them seems very strong I don't think they'll bend easily.

[farmflyer]

RE: Flyzone FW 190 Retracts ?

Whaaat ! 74degrees wind 0-3 mph here today. I got several flights on the fz 190 with the new retracts off pavement and they worked flawlessly. The only thing was I had a little trouble with bounce on initial touch down. I don't know if it was caused by no suspension on retracts or me. On the last landing I let it kinda drop in and bang the retracts pretty hard no problems struts didn't bend or loosen the mounts in the wings. I'm really glad I did this mod. The Freewing 1120mm fw 190 retracts with the mounts are a good fix. I would definitely recommend doing this its a good fix for replacing the stock gear.