JC's Planes and Projects

Using Spring Air Retracts in the Giant Top Flite Jug

12/23/00 - I am including this information as a guide for builders of this kit who may want to use the advertised Spring Air (SA) retractable landing gear. I must admit that I have had a bad experience with Spring Air and decided to use the Robart units. SA has advertised retracts for this kit for two successive months in a popular modeling magazine. I placed an order with SA for the product. Prior to placing the order, SA had sent me two emails indicating that they had the product and instructions for the required modifications and that they had a tailwheel for this kit. After two weeks, I tried to get a ship date for my order - they could not provide me with one. In addition, I subsequently found that they do not yet have the plans for the required modifications to the wing, nor are they making a tailwheel for this kit. I politely cancelled my order and they hung the phone up on me! I considered this to be an insult.

I have used a set of SA retracts in the past and was happy with their quality and operation. However, false advertisement, false promises, and rude treatment have soured me on this company.

Well, now that I have that off my chest, I will include some pictures from the famous designer, builder, and competitor, Rich Uravitch. Rich is designing the SA retract installation on his TF Jug and will be writing a review of the model for a popular modeling magazine.

Here is a close up of Rich's main gear installation. Ribs 5 & 6 and their plywood doublers will have been modified. The Robart units have mounting rails parallel to the wing ribs. The SA units are just the opposite.

Here is a shot of the tailwheel mounting. Note that this is not really a tailwheel retract, but a bulkhead mounted small nosewheel retract. Note how Rich has drilled a hole through the retract to clear the steering pushrod. Rich has also doubled the thickness of the former.

 Here is the unit installed in the fuse. Rich fashioned the leg/axle himself.