Description:

Derek Micko's "Fun Scale Models" park flyers have featured mechanical retracts which he designed, and Rabid Models is making them!

This small and simple gadget was designed specifically for lightweight RC models (less than one pound flying weight). The retract is about the size of a quarter! For best results the wheels and tires need to be as small and light as possible.

Please see the DESIGN NOTES below, this product has 3 versions.

The 3D-printed micro-retract is operated by a small micro servo and a pushrod (not included). The plastic frame holds a trunnion (the rotating part) which holds the landing gear leg and the trunnion has an attachment point for a pushrod. There is a 90-degree range of movement. Use a 4.3gm metal-gear servo to operate one retract, OR a single 9-gm metal-gear servo to operate two retracts at the same time. (We offer these servos.)

The retract frame is designed to be mounted on wood "rails" about 8mm apart. Attach with4 micro-screws (which we sell) or simply glue it using Foam-Tac. The trunnion pivot is a 9 mm length of 1/16" wire (1.6mm). The gear leg is 1/16" wire and the pushrod is smaller .032" wire (0.8mm) with a Z-bend. The modeler can install different length wire gear legs as needed. The pushrod can be mounted from the left or right side. Note: the wires are not included in the package!

The modeler will need to carefully install & adjust the retract to set the proper geometry and operation. They can be set up so the wheel retracts towards the fuselage, or towards the wingtips. The 1/16" wire gear legs are installed last, they are simply pushed into the trunnion and glued using thin CA. There is no "shock absorber" built into these units - the 1/16" wire has sufficient "spring" for the intended use (small models). NOTE: The parts are very small and we expect the frame or trunnion may break under certain conditions (hard landings). Dear customer, please realize that its preferrable for the retract to break instead of breaking the wing! Split plastic can be carefully fixed with CA glue, and spare parts can be ordered if you need them.