RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
Heli-NuBee, Check out post #367. I have a set right now. I now have over 50 landings with mine and 15 happy users of this modification. It's a lot less expensive, $30, and easier to install , about 15 minutes, than any other fix. Email me and I can send you a set. I was looking at the Top Flite P-51 60 ARF thread and the same thing is happening to that gearbox???? I'm not sure this box would fit but it would be very easy to make one that would. Same for the new P-47.
Posted on: 11/1/2009 11:07 AM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9219921

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
I see that someone posted some pictures of the model. Here are some from the real thing. I took thes at "The Fighter Factory" in Virginia Beach Va. http://www.fighterfactory.com/index.php
Posted on: 10/14/2009 5:10 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9173318

RE: What's the difference??? Edge, Extra, Yak?
Wow!!! This is 3+ year old post. I now have 520 flights on the Edge with the original Saito 125 engine. I love to fly this plane. It's good at pattern and acrobatic flying, although, no the best at either. I did win a Senior Pattern Novice contest in 2008. I have since had a AeroWorks Yak that I felt was no better than the Seagull Edge although it cost twice as much. I lost it in the Sun and did a perfect nose plant on the runway. I replaced it with a Great Planes Venus II which is a real pattern plane.
Posted on: 10/14/2009 4:41 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9173247

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
I want to thank all of you who have tried the Retract Boxes and endorsed them on this thread. I flew my AT-6 today and made 5 perfect landings. It's great to make an approach and not worry about the retracts. Thank you all again Tom
Posted on: 10/8/2009 10:19 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9157914

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
ArrowNaughtic, I have one set of retract reinforcement boxes left from my last order. It takes three days to have some made. I now have over 45 landings with the boxes and although I did break one of the plastic wheel rims, replaced the wheels with Dubro wheels, the retract gear frams have held up fine. It may pay to get a set befor a firm landing breaks the gear box and tears up a wing?? Still $30. including shipping. Thanks Tom
Posted on: 9/30/2009 7:42 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9136885

RE: NEW Top Flite .60 P-47D Gold Edition ARF
[quote]ORIGINAL: TomTreese If anyone is having a problem with the plastic retract gear boxes breaking I may have the solution. The same thing happens with the Top Flite AT6 retract boxes. I designed an aluminum case that reinforces the gear box and has prevented the problem and allow the stock gear to work properly. By looking at the P-47 pictures it looks like the same size. It is 1.75'
Posted on: 8/21/2009 5:10 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9034177

RE: NEW Top Flite .60 P-47D Gold Edition ARF
If anyone is having a problem with the plastic retract gear boxes breaking I may have the solution. The same thing happens with the Top Flite AT6 retract boxes. I designed an aluminum case that reinforces the gear box and has prevented the problem and allow the stock gear to work properly. By looking at the P-47 pictures it looks like the same size. It is 1.75" long, 1" deep and 1.75" wide. They cost $30.00 a pair including shipping.
Posted on: 8/21/2009 5:06 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9034169

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
Has TopFlite strenghtened the stock plastic retract boxes??? I have not seen a post lately about them breaking??? If not, check out post #238. I have over 50 landings on mine and have had no failure reports from the pilots using these reinforcements. A $30.00 fix that has worked perfectly! I am finding that the smoothest landings are with 60% flaps and fly it onto the runway. Once you touch down get off of the elevator and reduce the flaps. Do not float it in? With the forward rake of the struts it will bounce. Good flying. I love the way this plane looks and flys and the OS 91 sounds great[:D]
Posted on: 8/21/2009 12:50 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9033638

RE: Pattern plan for a Saito 150
When I bought the Yak I wanted a 3D/Pattern aircraft. The Yak was fine with the 3D but wasn't as good at pattern as my Seagull Edge with a Saito 125 and not much better at 3D. Since I had the Edge, a Dave Patrick Ultimate and a Mojo I wanted a dedicated pattern plane. I had two Venus 40s and they flew well but I wanted the larger Venus II. In retrospect the Saito 125 would be a better engine because of the weight. The 125 is about 7 oz lighter and I had to put about 5 oz of lead in the tail to balance the 150. That's almost a pound heavier. The Edge is slightly over 8 pounds as would be the Venus with a 125. But I had a 150 so I made it work. The Venus II fly's very well with the 150 and a 16X8 APC prop. Right now may Saito 150 and 180 (from the Ultimate) are at Saito repair??? If the 150 costs too much to fix I am considering replacing it with a 125 and lightening the plane??? It will still fly the same prop which will gime me some additional speed. I could go to a faster prop on the 150 but the landing approach is so fast I have stayed with the 16X8. It is a great pattern plane.
Posted on: 8/5/2009 8:30 AM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8991571

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
That's good to hear. My replacements also looked the same. Since I had already made the reinforcement cases I decided to not risk it. I also have to rebend the strut wires if I bounce the landings. Easily done with two pair of pliars. Just enough to refit into the wells. I'm having a set of struts made out of music wire????? Let me know about the tempering and how you did it... Thanks
Posted on: 7/5/2009 10:59 AM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8907827

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
Retract servos usually have a lower profile...I'm using a Hitec HS-75.( $29.99 at Tower) It has worked well. The DS821 is not a retract servo and does not have sufficient torque and the 180* movement. Take a look at my retract reinforcing boxes...See post 285.. The stock plastic gear boxes will break upon landing. I have over 20 landings with mine and have had only positive reports on the ten I have sold. Make sure you really reinforce the wood in the retract well areas and retract servo well with epoyx or CA. Good luck.
Posted on: 7/5/2009 10:22 AM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8907782

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
It seems to bend in the loop. Or the loop unwinds. I have a double wrap of coper wire around the inside of loop that may help?? If it take two pair of pliars and hold the base with one I can bend it back with the other so it fits back into the wheel well. It only needs to be bent about 1-2 mm. Of course if you fly it in with the flaps down it lands very smoothly with no bending. I have not had any problem with the plastic gear boxes breaking since I developed the aluminum boxes. The ten AT-6 pilots who bought them also have not reported a problem[;)]
Posted on: 6/30/2009 4:29 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8895309

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
Kurt, Will the Robo Struts work inplace of the wire coil struts in the stock mechanical gear box??? If so what is the part number to order from Tower??? The boxes work great but the left strut wire bends a little foreward on any landing that bounces??? I'm going to try to have some music wire bent like the wire struts to try also.. Thanks for featuring the retract boxs. Tom
Posted on: 6/27/2009 8:55 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8886685

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
We had 27 pilots and 51 warbirds and over 100 spectators. This was amazing since we had 5" of rain on Thursday and Friday before the event. We had to restrict parking to 1/2 of our facility but the people came out to Honor "The Greates Generation" on the 65 anniversary of "D-Day" We had about 12 WW II veterans come out and there were 7 there at Noon for the picture.
Posted on: 6/26/2009 5:45 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8883760

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
Here are some pictures of the warbird event.
Posted on: 6/26/2009 5:17 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8883639

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
The retract reinforcing boxes have worked out fine. Over 20 landings with no sign of stress!!! Now, If we could get more ridged strut wires. I wrapped two coils of copper wire around the loop in mine but I still have to bend the left one back if I bounce a landing?? I contacted Tower Service and they sent another set of wires but they are the same as the old ones. Just like the replacement gear boxes?? I just carry two set's of pliers to hold the base and bend the strut back so it fits into the wheel well. I don't want it to bind when it comes up in flight and cause the servo to draw power the whole flight. With the forward rake of the gear it is prone to bounce if the speed isn't perfect. I'm still working on flaps vs. no flaps landings for the best approach. Speed is the key. At least the gear boxes aren't breaking any more!!! A great flying plane. Tracts perfectly and the OS 91 is plenty of power. 60% throttle is all I ever need.
Posted on: 6/26/2009 4:58 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8879555

RE: Top Flite AT-6 retract box failure.
Mike. Here are the dimentions. length, 1.75" : Depth, 1": Inside width, 15/16th: width including the mounting flanges= 1.75" Distance between mounting holes= 1.25" It looks like it will fit from the pictures but I don't know for sure. Check out the measurements and if it's close I could send you one to try.
Posted on: 6/26/2009 4:56 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "Crash & Rebuild"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8883592

Top Flite AT-6 retract box failure.
The Top Flite AT-6 Retract gear boxes are made of plastic and the mounting tabs will break on a non perfect landing. This may cause wing damage. I have designed an aluminum reinforcing bracket that takes the stress off of the mounting flanges and have made over a dozen landings, some off them less than perfect, with no damage. I am selling these boxes for $30.00 including freight. Just email me and we can set up a PayPal payment.
Posted on: 6/9/2009 9:38 AM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "Crash & Rebuild"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8837896

Top Flite AT-6 retract box failure.
The Top Flite AT-6 Retract gear boxes are made of plastic and the mounting tabs will break on a non perfect landing. This may cause wing damage. I have designed an aluminum reinforcing bracket that takes the stress off of the mounting flanges and have made over a dozen landings, some off them less than perfect, with no damage. I am selling these boxes for $30.00 including freight. Just email me and we can set up a PayPal payment.
Posted on: 6/9/2009 9:27 AM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8837915

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
See post # 285 on page 12
Posted on: 6/4/2009 4:10 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8825718

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
If the mounting box is the same size as the stock retracts my aluminum box will fit around it as well????
Posted on: 6/4/2009 3:43 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8825657

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
They look the same to me. So installed the aluminum boxes and have 9 landings with out a gearbox failure. The metal struts did bend however???[:(] I called Tower and they are going to replace them again??? No word as to making them stronger? I am going to coil some 1mm coper wire aroung the loop and see if that reduces the bending problem. Our Warbirds Over Williamsburg IV is Saturday so I'll be flying the AT-6 there.
Posted on: 6/4/2009 9:26 AM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8824754

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
[quote]ORIGINAL: jet22b TomTreese; You did a great job on the gear box!!! My hat is off to you!!! Last Monday I was playing with my Texan and I found out that the flaps do a good job of slowing this bird down. Three out of five landing was smooth, but, the last two was just like you had!! I know this weekend I will try and find the best speed for landing this bird. The wires that came
Posted on: 6/1/2009 7:32 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8817517

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
Yes, you can. I talked to the metal fabrication guy and we can make them available for $30.00 including freight. I just have to figure a way of getting paid??? I think I can do it through Pay-Pal? To install all you have to do is sand a little off of each mounting block. About .5mm on each side and they slide right in. I called Hobby Services this morning about the wire struts??? They are going to send another set but I don't think that solves the bending problem. Have many of you had this bending problem??[8|]
Posted on: 5/29/2009 10:53 AM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8808568

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
Agree!!
Posted on: 5/28/2009 10:21 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8807526

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
I'm going to call Hobby Serviceses tomorrow and complain about the wire. They will probably say they strengthened it like the plastic boxes[:'(] If I use the flaps and keep the speed up she will set down nicely. But you have to check the wires after every landing to make sure they fit into the wells. I am glad that the gear boxes withstood the poor landings. I have a Hanger-9 Hellcat with 240 (actually 120 landings on 2 sets, change after 120) on the stock 90* rotating retracts ($24.00) without a problem. They, however, have a metal case and streight struts.
Posted on: 5/28/2009 10:04 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8807478

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
[quote]ORIGINAL: TomTreese Today I really tested the retract boxes!!! I made a too slow landing and the AT-6 bounce twice about 5 feet in the air and landed in a 10% nose down attitude. One of the retract push rods came loose from the servo conection BUT THE RETRACT BOXES DID NOT FAIL[:D] I think I've solved the retract case problem. Now, how I have to land very softly to keep the 3/16
Posted on: 5/28/2009 9:18 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8807356

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
Today I really tested the retract boxes!!! I made a too slow landing and the AT-6 bounce twice about 5 feet in the air and landed in a 10% nose down attitude. One of the retract push rods came loose from the servo conection BUT THE RETRACT BOXES DID NOT FAIL[:D] I think I've solved the retract case problem. Now, how I have to land very softly to keep the 3/16" gear struts from bending everytime the plane bounces??? They always bend foreward at the coil and then the wheels will not fit into the wells?? They are not that hard to bend back BUT YOU'D THING THAT WIRE THAT HEAVY WOULD RESIST BENDING SO EASY.[:(] I GUESSS TOP-FLITE REALLY FOULED UP WITH THESE CHEAP RETARCTS ON A BEAUTIFUL WARBIRD.
Posted on: 5/28/2009 9:11 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8807332

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
Flash!!!! I flew my AT-6 today with the reinforced stock retracts that I designed.[:)] Five flights and seven landings. Four landings were without flaps so the plane bounced as high as 4 feet on one landing. Absolutely no damage to the landing gear block[:D]. The struts did bend foreward about 1/8" due to the bounce and that was easily bent back with 2 pair of pliers but the reinforced boxes held up great. Pictures and availability to follow.
Posted on: 5/27/2009 6:20 PM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8803768

RE: Top Flite AT6 ARF
As I stated above, I received the replacement retracts from Tower and they look the same. I have finished the metal cases and installed ithem last night. I want to give it a try for several landings before posting the pictures and installation. It will definitely strengthen the mounting tabs and should prevent breaking on reasonable landings.
Posted on: 5/27/2009 9:55 AM by Author "TomTreese" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8802426