extra 300

My Feedback: (3)

Hi Guys,

Have just received an F-15D kit which was supposed to have gear doors already installed. i have tried to figure out best way to do this nasty job but i was not able till now to find the proper way to do it without risking of messing up things.
I just hate the trial and error process and was wondering if there would be any easy method to complete this part of the build.

thanks in advance for your advice and input.

Best regards,

bluescoobydoo

after flying my jl f15 with all the doors on my answer to your question would be don't bother they fly great without them just one more thing to go wrong

FenderBean

I don't think gear doors are that hard, I use a hot glue gun instead of ca. Less mess and easy to adjust.
I tape doors close tack one hinge and then open the door if it works close the door use a small ruler and draw a line for the 2nd hinge. Then just check function again, if its good mark the hinge locations remove and glue in place.
if you don't like trial and error then there is nothing u can do to make it easier. Good luck hope this helps.

FalconWings

My Feedback: (57)

Extra300, hope this helps. If you get the concept of the tutorial, you're F-15 should be a breeze.
Problem with F-15's and F-18's is the number of doors, but it is not hard.....just takes time.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_99...tm.htm#9979870

David

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Hi David,

great tutorial on that other thread (boy catia takes me back!)

I do it the same way, your tip about the initial placement of the hinge (the hinge line location with respect to the opening) is where I think most people get into trouble.

the only thing I do different is I gang all of the hinges together on a removable hinge pin made of music wire, this not only makes the door removable but ensures the hinges are in line before you glue them.

I also go back after the glue has dried and screw them in with #0 self tapping screws.

Anyway great tutorial!

FenderBean

nice walk through, I do the same just first run is with hot glue so if one of the hinges isnt perfectly aligned with the others I can fix before its perm.

sskianpour

My Feedback: (2)

Another method I have used is a small fire in a trash can. The doors pop and sizzle as they melt away and forever remove themselves from existence. It is VERY therapeutic

Shaz

dbsonic

My Feedback: (3)

Great tutorial. Thanks.
Does everybody just use pneumatic actuators on nose gear doors or can the door be closed with rubber bands/springs sufficiently?
My worry is if springs, with the added resistance, the nose gear may not extend all the way and result in nose skid landing.

rcjetsaok

My Feedback: (7)

David,

I wished you had that Tutorial about 10 years ago when we built those 3 Yellow A/C Twin F-18's here in my shop... Roger and I elected Doug as Gear door Guru .. The first one too him 14 hrs, the second about 12.5, ant the last one was just over 10 hrs... !!! And that ain't counting the three Half Gallons of Jack Daniel's and about 8 racks of Baby Back ribs !!!! You talk'in a pain in the ***** !!!! HOLY SMOKES !!! If you can buy an airplane now days and it's only a couple extra hundred to have the gear doors done with cylinders, Don't say no!!! It's worth every penny !!! I'll never go down that road again !!!


Danno

rcand

The best way for one not well versed in how to make gear doors works is to pay someone else who does or just don't do them.

hooker53

My Feedback: (106)

Fender and David nailed it along with another that said sometimes we all dread gear doors. The worst you will do is your first one. Ha. The curve I had to learn was cleaning that area that you glue the hinge at. I could not believe how well that hd to be sanded and cleaned before you glue. No kind of glue will hold your hinge if the area is not prepped. Clean with alcohol and sand then clean with alcohol again. David thanks for reposting that Toot of yours. That is a good thread. I may print that out and hang it on the wall. Ha. Ha if I can find enough wall to hang it. Lol.

extra 300

My Feedback: (3)

David,

Thank you very much for the very detailed explanation for gear Door installation, you just gave me what's needed to get through this delicate step.

Best regards,

FalconWings

My Feedback: (57)

Alright! Glad to help.

Danno, took me 3 F-16's to figure it out!!

:-)

jetflyr

LMAO! After watching the hotspots grow, I needed that!
Greg