Flightline 1600mm P38 Lightning landing gear issues

[Oldpueblokid]

New purchase, flown it total of 6 times. Last time the nose gear would not extend, I cycled the gears and then it came out. Cycled again and would not come out. Afraid to retract the gears while in flight, not knowing if they will extend for landing or not. Anyone else experiencing this and if so, what could be causing it? Strut is not bent, everything is moving freely, just not all the time.

[Evan D]

99% of the time the strut is bent back slightly, just enough for the strut or wheel to bind when retracted. It also helps to put a little bit of white grease on the retract jack screw.

[GliderGuy]

Evan speaks the truth, but if you have verified no binding, then I propose replacing the nose gear servo. It is your “safest”’bet.

Note: For the P-38, you will need to disassemble the servo to remove the nose gear hardware from it. Not a huge problem, but take your time and pay attention to how things fit.

I had the same issue a few days ago…new servo is now installed. There are 2 types of gear servos…a TYPE A and a TYPE B. One has a connecting pin and one does not. Either will work…since you are going to take it apart anyway and install your “good” hardware.

Another tip…land gear down if the nose wheel doesn’t extend. Very little damage results.

-GG

[RRHandy]

I concur with Evan, .

[Oldpueblokid]

Thanks guys, appreciate the input! I'll take your advice, don't want to lose this one. My first one was a nose in casualty due to the motor wires to esc coming loose on flight number 4. Learned a hard lesson from that, first thing I checked and taped on this one. Thanks again!