The Lexan Airwolf body has an attractive smooth finish and will allow any modeler the beauty of a scale flying Micro Heli. The document explains how to add retractable wheels to the JMD Airwolf Kit ( HH264 ). The retracts operate using an additional receiver channel and with a flip of a switch all 3 wheels will retract into the fuselage, very scale like. The procedure can be applied to the Hornet, Piccolo, Hummingbird and Feda Micro Helicopters.

Parts List:
(1/16”) carbon rod (CTS Composites)
(12”)  1/16” ID plastic tube (Carbon tube can be used)
(3)    1.16” wheel collars
(12”)  1/16” music wire
(12”)  .032 music wire
(1)    ½” wheel (Perfect)
(2)    3/4” wheel (Perfect)
(1)    6” X 12” sheet of .016 carbon sheet (CTS Composites)
 

Cut a piece of .016 carbon fiber sheet to dimension and drill 1.6mm hole as shown. Note: 1/16” plastic or ply can be used in place of the carbon sheet. Cut and install the two lower carbon rods as shown. Drill 1.6mm hole in front upper center of frame for 1.6mm carbon center support.

Install front landing gear support. Note: Be sure to check the distance between front and rear mount tubes, as shown in previous picture. Bond all joints with CA glue.

Drill hole as shown to allow you to wrap pivot tube with thread. See next step. Wrap front and rear plastic pivots with thread and bond with CA glue.

Cut a piece of .016 carbon fiber sheet to dimension and drill 1.6mm hole as shown. Note: 1/16” plastic or ply can be used in place of the carbon sheet. Cut and install the two lower carbon rods as shown. Drill 1.6mm hole in front upper center of frame for 1.6mm carbon center support.

Bend front strut using 1/16” music wire as shown. Bend rear strut at one end as shown. Before bending the other end, install the 1/16” wheel color, plastic pivot tube and the clevis assembly shown in the next step.

Drill 1.6mm hole in frame front and rear for the 1.6mm carbon rod body mount. Dimension between rear gear legs is as shown. Note: White plastic pivot tube is wrapped with thread and bonded with CA glue on both sides.

A carbon rod was added for a mechanical down stop. When landing gear is in full down position, this will help take the load and vibration off the servo with hard landings.
Rear landing gear leg and clevis detail shown. Note: Rear carbon rod location for rear body mount. 

Front landing gear leg and clevis detail. Note: Du-Bro Micro E-Z connectors were used for this application. Retract servo is mounted to plate as shown. .032 control wire is used for the control rod. Note: One wire was used from front to rear. Two separate wires can be used from servo to control clevis.

Body mount tubes were located and installed before body halves were connected. Note: Viewed from inside and with white body for clarity. Plastic tube 1.6mm ID, and about 6.8mm long, was bonded inside fuselage in all four locations. Note: A small piece of rubber tube or servo grommet can also be used for this mount. point.

Shown is the Century Hummingbird -mechanics complete and ready to install. Battery will mount in front under retract servo with Velcro and can be removed from the bottom.

Shown here is the MS Hornet C/P with all components installed ready for final assembly with the Airwolf body.

Body mount carbon rods are engaged with the tubes in the body. This will hold the body in place so retract legs will not hang up. Note: All wheels were bonded to legs to prevent rolling. (Helps keep the heli in place when on the ground.)

When locating the mechanics, the upper rear strut (pivot point) should be near the top of the wing pod and about 10mm forward of the back edge of the wing pod.
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