Overview
The E-flite 90-Degree Nose Gear Retract Unit with LED Landing Light Plug (model Z-EFL-1301) is an electronic retraction system designed for RC aircraft that require functional landing gear. This component is essential for pilots building or upgrading scale RC aircraft that incorporate retractable nose gear, particularly larger sport and scale models where realistic landing gear operation enhances both the appearance and flight characteristics of the aircraft. The 90-degree design ensures that the nose gear retracts cleanly into the fuselage, maintaining aerodynamic efficiency during flight whilst allowing smooth, reliable deployment for landing.
Whether you're a seasoned RC aircraft builder looking to add functional retractable gear to your next project, or an experienced pilot upgrading an existing airframe with advanced features, this E-flite retract unit delivers professional-grade performance. The integrated LED landing light socket means you can add realistic lighting effects to your aircraft without requiring separate modifications, making this an all-in-one solution for nose gear retraction and landing light integration. This is particularly valuable for UK RC aircraft enthusiasts who enjoy night flying or want to add authentic scale details to their models.
E-flite is recognised globally for manufacturing high-quality RC components, and this retract unit exemplifies their commitment to precision engineering and reliability. The electronic nose gear retract unit is compatible with standard RC aircraft configurations and has been specifically engineered to handle the demands of retractable gear systems, ensuring consistent operation across countless flight cycles.
Key Features
- Electronic 90-Degree Nose Gear Retract Unit — This is a fully electronic retraction system that automatically retracts the nose gear to a 90-degree angle, which is the standard configuration for clean retraction into most scale aircraft fuselages. The electronic design means it integrates seamlessly with your RC aircraft's servo and receiver systems, allowing you to control gear deployment via your radio transmitter with precision and repeatability.
- Built-in LED Light Socket — The retract unit features an integrated socket designed to accommodate LED landing lights, eliminating the need to source separate mounting solutions or wiring harnesses for lighting. This built-in compatibility means you can add authentic landing light effects that illuminate during the landing sequence without requiring additional modification to your aircraft's structure.
- Pre-installed Servo Plug Connection — The unit comes equipped with a 460mm power wire featuring a standard servo plug, ensuring straightforward installation into your RC aircraft's receiver and servo controller. This plug-and-play approach significantly reduces setup time and minimises the risk of incorrect wiring, making the installation process accessible to both experienced builders and those newer to RC aircraft projects.
- Included Hardware Package — Four 3mm flat head screws are provided with the unit, giving you the fasteners necessary for secure mounting within your aircraft's nose gear bay. These precision screws are sized appropriately for the retract unit's mounting points, ensuring a professional installation without the need to source additional hardware.
- Compact and Lightweight Design — The electronic construction of this retract unit makes it significantly lighter than mechanical alternatives, which is crucial for maintaining the weight and balance characteristics of your RC aircraft. Every gram matters in aviation, and E-flite has engineered this system to minimise aircraft weight whilst maintaining the structural integrity and reliability required for consistent operation.
Technical Performance
The E-flite 90-Degree Nose Gear Retract Unit represents a sophisticated piece of RC aircraft engineering, combining electronic actuation with integrated lighting control into a single compact assembly. The 90-degree retraction angle is specifically chosen as the standard for most scale RC aircraft, ensuring that when the gear is retracted, it sits cleanly against the fuselage without protruding or creating unnecessary aerodynamic drag. The electronic actuation system responds instantly to control inputs from your RC receiver, allowing pilots to deploy or retract the gear with precision timing that suits various flight phases. The built-in LED socket has been engineered to accept standard landing light components, and the integrated design means there are no additional wiring complications or mounting brackets required. The 460mm power wire with servo plug provides sufficient length for most nose gear bay installations whilst maintaining a clean, professional appearance within the aircraft structure. The inclusion of four 3mm flat head screws indicates that the mounting system has been designed for secure, flush installation that doesn't create unnecessary protrusions that could interfere with gear operation or aircraft fit and finish. This retract unit is engineered to work reliably across numerous flight cycles, with the electronic design eliminating many of the mechanical wear points found in purely mechanical retraction systems. UK RC aircraft enthusiasts will appreciate the quality of engineering that E-flite brings to this component, as it meets the demanding requirements of serious scale model flying where reliability and realism are equally important.
What's in the Box
- Electronic 90-degree nose gear retract unit (1 piece)
- Built-in LED light socket pre-installed on retract unit
- Power wire with servo plug (460mm length)
- 3mm flat head screws (quantity: 4)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a 90-degree nose gear retract unit and why do I need one? — A 90-degree nose gear retract unit is an electronic system that automatically retracts your RC aircraft's nose landing gear into the fuselage during flight, with the gear rotating 90 degrees to sit parallel to the fuselage. This is essential for scale RC aircraft where realistic retractable gear operation improves both aerodynamic efficiency and visual authenticity. The electronic design means you control retraction and deployment via your radio transmitter, making it simple to operate during takeoff and landing phases.
- Will this retract unit work with my RC aircraft? — This retract unit is designed as a universal component for compatible RC aircraft that feature a nose gear bay configured for 90-degree retraction. You should verify that your aircraft's nose gear assembly is designed for this type of retraction system and that the mounting points align with standard configurations. Consult your aircraft's manual or contact RC Model Shop for compatibility confirmation with your specific model.
- How do I install the LED landing light? — The retract unit comes with a built-in LED light socket pre-installed, which is designed to accept standard RC landing light components. You simply insert your LED landing light unit into the socket, and it will be powered through the retract unit's electrical connections. This integrated approach eliminates the need for separate wiring or mounting brackets, streamlining the installation process significantly.
- Is the 460mm power wire long enough for my installation? — The 460mm power wire is designed to provide sufficient length for most standard nose gear bay installations, reaching from the retract unit mounted in the nose gear area to your receiver and servo controller located in the fuselage. If your specific aircraft configuration requires additional wire length, you may need to extend the connection using additional servo wire and connectors, but for most applications this length is appropriate.
- What type of servo plug does this unit use? — The retract unit features a standard servo plug connection, which is the universal connector type used across RC aircraft systems. This means it will connect directly to any standard RC receiver output port or servo controller without requiring any adapters or modifications.
- Can I use this with different brands of RC receivers? — Yes, this retract unit is designed to work with any standard RC receiver system that outputs servo pulse signals, including Spektrum, Futaba, JR and other recognised brands used in the UK RC aircraft community. The standard servo plug ensures broad compatibility across different radio systems.
- What is the difference between this and the EFL-1298 90-Degree Electric Retract Unit? — The EFL-1301 (this model) is specifically designed as a nose gear retract unit with an integrated LED landing light socket, making it purpose-built for nose gear applications with lighting capability. The EFL-1298 is a general-purpose electric retract unit without the integrated LED socket feature, making it more suitable for main landing gear applications or situations where separate lighting is preferred. Choose the EFL-1301 if you need nose gear retraction with integrated lighting; choose the EFL-1298 if you need a retract unit for other gear applications.
- How many times will this retract unit cycle before it needs replacement? — E-flite designs this retract unit for reliable operation across numerous flight cycles, with electronic actuation systems typically providing excellent longevity compared to purely mechanical systems. The exact lifespan depends on usage frequency and proper installation, but users can expect reliable performance throughout the operational life of their RC aircraft under normal operating conditions.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the EFL 90-Degree Nose Gear Retract Unit w/LED Landing Light Plug Z-EFL-1301 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
We want to make sure your delivery goes smoothly, so here are some important details about our service:
- For orders above £120, we offer delivery to most mainland UK addresses. For orders under £120, we can still deliver to Northern Ireland and the outlying isles, as long as the item can be sent by Royal Mail, weighs less than 30kg, and fits within 61cm × 46cm × 46cm. Some highland and remote areas may carry an extra delivery charge as couriers often apply surcharges in these locations. If you live in one of these areas, feel free to contact us before ordering so we can confirm the delivery options and costs for you.
- Most of our products include delivery in the price. If your order is under £90, a small delivery fee will apply but do not worry this will always be clearly shown at checkout before you complete your purchase.
- Depending on what you choose at checkout, your order will usually be delivered either the next working day or within 2 working days. For next day delivery please place your order before 2:00pm. Orders are dispatched Monday to Friday only. Some items may take a little longer and if that is the case we will always show the expected delivery time on the product page.
- If your order includes items with different dispatch times we will normally wait and send everything together once all items are in stock. If one of the items is going to take a while we will give you the choice either wait for everything to arrive or let us send the available items now and deliver the rest later. It is up to you.
- We use trusted delivery partners to make sure your order gets to you safely and on time. We use DPD for next working day deliveries and Royal Mail for the 2 day option.
- As soon as your order is on its way we will send you a tracking number by email. If you provide your mobile number at checkout we will also send delivery updates straight to your phone so you can keep an eye on progress.
- If a product is marked as "Dispatched within 3 working days" delivery usually takes around 3 to 5 working days from when your order is placed.
- For customers in Inverness and other parts of the Scottish Highlands deliveries can take up to 2 working days even if you select next day delivery as couriers do not currently offer a guaranteed next day service to those areas.
