Fournier Rf4 mit retracts and spoilers

G'day,

I'm currently starting out on the RCM&E free plan of the Fournier RF4. Of course, being an idiot and constantly making rods for my own back I've decided to incorporate a retractable nose wheel and spoilers in the wings as per the prototype. I've pretty much got the spoiler installation worked out but I'm still driving myself nuts with the nose wheel retract. I've had a look at the prototype and the nose wheel retracts forwards. I've also seen a couple of references to other modellers that have solved this installation and apparently there are some units available - but I don't know where. If any one has any clues I'd be most greatful. Alternatively I have a lathe so I can make up my own retracts if necessary. All I need now is some hero who has already been there and done that to offer me the working drawings to build my own. This poor colonial boy places his future in the hands of dear old Mother England.

glider retract.

OK - but it looks like a bloody nose wheel to me and I'm pretty sure it's in front of the CG. Nose wheel - main gear what ever. I have over 20,000 hours up as a pilot (OK - I know that doesn't count) and to me it's a bloody nose wheel. I still can't work out how to incorporate it in the model though - the bloody fuel tank is in the way. I've also added a couple of photos of a local restoration - (full size) It seems to me the Nose/Main retracts forward so the weight of the gear would be forward of the CG when retracted. If it were mounted at the CG I think it would also compromise the main wing spar.

Thanks Blooper - just might do the trick - now all I have to do is figure out what to do with the fuel tank. The first person who says go el*ctr*c will be shot at dawn.!

pulse jet then.

Now THERE'S a solution!!

pulse jet

You could just buy an ARTF and save yourself the bother,( smartly ducks to the left)

I would say, duck to the left, right and centre and he will still get you for that comment Stephen:)

Well after driving myself nuts and looking at several glider retracts which don't quite fit I resorted to the drawing board and designed my own. Much lathe work and barking of fingers later I've come up with a solution - the only thing is said solution requires a custom made fuel tank - read wider than the normal 4 oz tank and with a channel in the bottom to allow the wheel to fully retract into the fuselage. The plumbing makes an interesting challenge. I've completed the fuselage up to the forward section and I've left the space open to install the tank and retract and as soon as I get that working properly I'll install the motor and finish the cowl and cheeks. In the meantime I'm steeling myself to sit down and cut out all those bloody ribs. Attached are a couple of photos of the progress up to now.

wow

me likes that.