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While at the World Championships
last year, I was impressed with the retractable tricycle landing gear
that the Japanese competitors had fitted to their models. With the
landing gear retracted, the Japanese models (all equipped with fuselages)
had a striking appearance in the air. The only thing that I did not like
about their models was the tricycle platform (which are not as steady as
skids).
After returning home, I
decided that I would try to develop a simple retractable landing gear
system that would use conventional struts, instead of the tricycle type.
I decided that the retractable landing gear would be a great final touch
to the Eclipse. Once I was finished with the Eclipse plug, I then began
to design the retractable strut system over the winter.
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Using conventional RC
Airplane landing gear hardware, I was able to develop a system that would
be simple, reliable, and lightweight. The only increase in weight over
the conventional landing gear is the additional weight of the retract
servo. I was able to fit the retract servo into an existing servo space
on the Vigor frames for a clean installation. The most difficult part of
the whole project was to figure out the correct linkage length and
geometry to get the system working smoothly.
I am currently flying
the Eclipse fuselage complete with the retracts with great success. The
first public outing was the 2002 IRCHA Jamboree. Many people watching the
Eclipse were caught off guard when the landing skids retracted, since
they look conventional at first glance.
I really had a great
time designing both of these items. I truly get as much enjoyment from designing
and engineering parts such as this as I do flying. It is currently not
yet decided if these items will be produced pending further development
and testing.
The 2003 F3C World
Championships will be held next May in Ishikawa, Japan. Reigning 2001-2002
World Champion Curtis Youngblood, and 3 pilots that comprise the US team,
will represent the USA for both the Individual, and Team World titles.
For those interested in supporting the USA team by purchases of apparel,
etc., can visit the USAF3C heli team website at: www.USAF3C.com.
Photos by James Wang
and Len Sabato
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