Landing gear troubles...

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hi, first time posting. I really like the site and have found the forums very helpful. Now, I have a question I couldn’t find earlier.

For Christmas I recieved a P-38J/L 1:32 by Revell and got it mostly put together before I had to go back to school. Well, at some point the main piece of the right landing gear came unglued and as a result one of the cross pieces buckled and is now bent. I have since kept it off its wheels because every time I try and set it upright the cross piece bends and the plane doesn’t stay up. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to fix this? I really appreciate any help.

ps- If needed I’ll take some photos and post them so you have a better idea what I’m talking about.

Thanks,
ns

2

A photo would be helpful, but perhaps a piece of scrap can help reinforce it. Just have to trim it to fit.

3

Gently warm the part is hot water (not boiling). This will help the strained polymer chains of the plastic to return to their original lengths. Next, lightly coat it with thin (not gap filling) superglue, and hold it over an open bottle of accelerator. This will form a reinforcing skin on the outside. Repaint. That’s it.

4

It might be worth considering replacing the offending cross member with a piece of brass stock. When ever I am building heavy models I will install sewing needles into the gear struts to hold the weight.