Mechanical retracts?

[sihinch]

I just started assembling an ARF tonight that came with mechanical retracts. I know most planes today come with electric ones, but these mechanical ones seem to be fairly good quality and light.

Is there a disadvantage to going with the mechanical retracts?

Seems like there's room for the mechanism and the plane won't struggle with weight. Would love to get some opinions.

[Bigstik]

IMHO, mechanical retracts are pretty good. It's the pushrods, usually wire, to the retract unit itself that is the weak link. They tend to bend, bind etc.

The best mech units I've seen are the ones from H9 that are used in the 'Blue Nose Mustang.  The lg leg and servo are one unit. The only 'linkage' is a wire pushrod which is about 2 " long, almost direct to the retract mechanism.

Bigstik