Model Radio Control Accessories

Just as the types of Radio Control Aircraft are many and varied and one can only present a sample and not the whole, so it is with the accessories that go with them.

If you choose to, you can fit out a model like the real thing. Retractable wheels come in basically 2 types - electric and pneumatic. The electric are cheaper and work well, where a servo (push/pull motor) moves a rod to push and pull the wheels up and down. The downside with these is that generally the speed of operation can't be changed and unless they are operated off a separate battery pack, if a stall occurs to the main battery pack there is big trouble.

The pneumatic type consist of a tank which is pumped with air before flying. A servo and valve operates the each way motion, the air conducted through narrow hose. This system is generally considered the better, as the speed of movement can be controlled by putting restrictors on the tubing, though sometimes the wheels when in the up position hang slightly down. The servos are of a heavy duty manufacture, for retracts. Some of the more talented members make their own systems and it only reinforces that radio control planes are
not toys. Some models carry cameras others have opening bays to drop objects like lollies and flour bombs. Other radio controlled planes have brakes as well. The sky is the limit.