GRANT ED

I have decided that I am going to get a cessna 337 as my first twin. I would like to make this a real scale project with detailed interior, lights etc. I would really like a 337 as the retracts on these would look cool as hell on a model. Now a while ago I came across a site of a guy selling these (O-2A actually). i think it was about 80 inch span. The fuse was fiberglass, I'm not sure about the wings. He also was selling CNC machined retracts for these that were made to order. I have searched for hours and cannot find it again. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Deadeye

Was it [link=http://www.hobby-warehouse.com/kmpce337gitw.html]Kondor Model Products?[/link]

Leo

Maybe the Ramon Torres 91" span 02-A kit?

http://www.rtaerospace.com/Cessna02A_kit.htm

GRANT ED

After looking around a bit more I think it was the Ramon Torres kit. Although the website is quite a bit different from the way I remember. I also found some prices for this kit [X(] The retracts by themselves are $500. I think I might just get a KMP 337 at $399 seams to be a better option. Someone needs to make a scale set of retracts for the smaller cessna range.

Walter D

My Feedback: (16)

You have no idea of the complexity in building the retracts for the Cessna Skymaster, hence the price, I saw the development of Ramon's Cessna and he and his Dad did an incredible job, they won many a Scale meet with it, the airplane is totally awsome, and I am sure it is the best kit in the market today, flyes like a dream, if you really want to make this a true scale model, this is the kit, you can always build it in the fixed gear design, some earlier versions were like that. Ramon is an Aeronautical Engeneer and working in modifications and upgrades on the Skymasters were his thing, he actually owned one at that time, and that's how he scaled the model, taking measurements from the real ones in the hangar and translating it into the model, at that time I was able to supply him with Nomex Honeycomb and they built the entire fuselage with it, not a single bulkhead was used, talk about light and strong, at that time nobody thought possible that working nomex honeycomb in such compounded surface was feasable, well, they did it!

GRANT ED

Well actually I do have some idea about the complexity of the retracts for the 337 (also 210, 172rg, 182rg etc) because I work on the real versions in my job. I never said the RT 337 and retracts were not worth the money. I simply stated that I did not really feel like spending $1200 aus dollars on an airframe and retract set. Because I live in Australia getting these models shipped here can be very, very expensive as no one distributes them here. If my LHS could order one and offer back up then I would get one in a heartbeat. I have seen more info on these models and they do look very very nice but unfortunatly they are out of my price range []

Meesh

My Feedback: (135)

I agree! It's actually $1,394.00 US$$$ for the KIT and Retracts.

Way beyond my willingness to spend that much on a kit.

You could buy 3 KMP Cesnna 337" plus an engine for that money.

I'm sure that it's worth every penny to someone, but not to me.

nightflyer01

Grant Ed,
Have you thought about building your Skymaster from plans? It might be a bit cheaper, and give you more flexibility. Here is a site with plans. http://www.aero-sports.com/whplans/cessna.html
Also, since you work on the full-scale airplanes, would you have access to any diagrams that might show the parts to the retract system? I have been looking for information so that I could replicate the retracts for models. I found an illustrated parts manual for the 182 on eBay, but it was 35.00, but I don't know if it will show the parts I need.
Thanks
Pat

GRANT ED

I have thought about building from plans but I don't think I would have the time or expertise. Very soon I am starting to build a top flite corsair and I don't really want to have two planes on the go at once because I am a relativly slow builder. My main problem is a lack of retracts. If I could get a set for a decent price I would consider adapting the KMP model to use them. As for digrams for the real version. I have seen pictures in manuals of the retract system but they are probably not detailed or specific enough to use them to make your own. If you do manage to make a working set give me a yell and I'll buy em off you

nightflyer01

Well, I am perfectly willing to try and fabricate retracts for the Cessna. However I lack the full sized plane to study, and am having difficulty finding any documentation.

GRANT ED

You could try Cessna. I'm sure if you got in contact with them and told them what you wanted to do they should be able to help you out. I'm sure they would at least be able to point you in the right direction regarding obtaining the right drawings.

nightflyer01

Hey, that's a good idea. Being as I'm from the Pacific Northwest, I'm used to Boeing's "enthusiasm" when I've asked for information to build a model, that I thought that other manufacturers would be as "helpful". In other words they told me to p*** off. I will drop Cessna an e-mail, and see what happens.
Pat

nightflyer01

Just an update, it's been about 6 months since I wrote Cessna inquiring about their retracts, and still no response. I guess they are not going to be of any help. I guess making retracts for a Cessna is not going to happen. It was a good idea though.

Robby

My Feedback: (18)

You could try Sierra..
If you do a search in the warbird forum or you could
look at RCWARBIRDS.COM and ask Darrell Tenny
as he is Sierra Retracts... He isn't the cheapest in
town but he makes a damn good set of retracts..

{{edit}}
here is the URL for Sierra..

http://www.sierraprecision.com/products.html

nightflyer01

Thank you. I have looked at the Sierra Retracts before, but have not found anything made for the Cessna. I think it would be cost prohibitive to have a custom set made.

270win

My Feedback: (14)

With fixed gear the 337 is called the 336. Still a great plane and even more rare than the 337 is. Just an FYI thing...

270

nightflyer01

I am aware of the 336 having the fixed gear. I just want to make retracts for the cool factor. I also want to make retracts for the 182 as well.

p-80

My Feedback: (1)

i realy want to see some cessna 337 retracts to they look awsome flying with the gear up especialy a model that would be so cool