Hello, i just bought thes wonderfull kit. I think it’s a shame that I can’t enjoy it in both its landed and flight configurations, so I wanted to see if anyone knows of any modifications that can be made to the parts to make the landing gear retractable.
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Hi E-van. At 1/72 I don’t think you’ll want to make gear that actually articulates: This would require simplification and over-sizing the component so they wouldn’t break, and it would be too much of a compromise for scale accuracy.
But I could envision a solution where you create two different removeable gear “modules” that can plug into the same opening under the engine nacelles, and be traded out as desired. It would require some scratch-building and a clever attachment method (magnets perhaps?). Here is a rough sketch of what I’m thinking of.
Welcome to the forums E-van-1-72! I don’t have the brain function to answer your question, but I’m sure someone in the forums does. Good luck on your fort and by all means, please post some of your other work.
If this kit is based off their original 1960s vintage molds, the gear is supposed to be retractable on the kit. If it’s a new tooling kit, it would take a bit of modeling experience, skills, and tools to create retractable gear.
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Thank you Rob! Yes, making it retractable might not be very practical, but I really like your idea, and I think it’s worth a try. I might design some 3D parts and have them printed. I’ll see, and I’ll keep you updated on my progress. Thanks a lot, and greetings from Argentina!
Thank you for the welcome! This would be my first attempt at modifying a kit, so I’ll definitely show you what I get at! Another thing I’m going to try to modify is the doors of the different compartments; I’m going to cut them so they stay in an open position.
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Welcome! Sounds like you have a plan. I was looking for pictures of the Belle with gear down but the USAF museum has it displayed with gear up.
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Not sure of the point of retractable landing gear if the model is going to also have hatches featured in the ‘open’ position.