Looking for some advice…in several weeks i want to start building my 1/32 F-105G. I’ve read that the main (front) landing gear is very weak considering the weight of assempled kit…does any have any suggestions on how to strengthen the kits gear?
pretty detailed question, but any adivice or observations will be much appreciated?
Thanks,
bw
If it’s the Trumpeter F-105G the gear is way too weak for that big bird. My F-105 is still under construction but I got the gear installed over the weekend. I used metal gear from Aeroclub Models (http://www.aeroclub-models.com/p.html?n=5&c=V220) The only problem is that they mave a minimum order so I had to get two sets.
The gear is “White Metal” and is easily bent. The casting isn’t nearly as crisp as injection molded plastic, and they take some cleanup to be able to use. A small file to get rid of the flash and rough spots, and a wire brush in a Dremel tool to smooth things out. Prime them with Krylon white primer straight from the can. It’s pretty thick and will cover a lot of the roughness in the metal.
There are some pictures of my F-105 on my models page (the link is in my signature below). Scroll down to the pictures of it painted and there is one that shows the nose gear. I’ll try and get some more in the next day or two showing it standing on all three legs.
The only good thing about them is that they are strong enough to hold the bird up. If the plastic gear would have worked I’d have stuck with it, but several reviews said it wouldn’t so I took their word for it. Admittedly I didn’t try it myself, but looking at it on the sprues and seeing how spindly even the metal gear is I am not at all surprised.
don’t use the whole engine. Only the fan turbine and the afterburner section, no internal bay. That would help a lot. My Thud sits now on its own gear legs without any major problems…