All pre-1985 pattern ships had trike gear. Well, maybe all is exaggerating but most did. Not having them would have been the exception.

These models are not scale models and part of the idea of trike gear (there were other reasons) was to allow the model to sit on the ground in the same way it would present in the air. The "draft" of the model also presents with more graceful lines when using trike gear. A modern 2 m pattern ship would by comparison look very awkward with trike gear - the designs have changed a fair bit over the years.

My perception of it.

David.