Nice work on the detailing. Love the brake line treatment.
I was inspired by Mick's posts on the fragile gear rotation mechanism. After taking a good look at it myself, I agree .. the "tab in slot" technique is simple and elegant for turning the gear as it retracts but looks way too weak to withstand the stresses of takeoff and landing especially on grass. I am trying a variant of Mick's technique (really just a different implementation of his idea) that is done from a block of 6061 T6 Aluminum and a 3/16 rod installed at the top of the gear leg. Still have to drill and counterbore for the rear retract mounting screws.
First, I drilled thru the "pinch collar" on the retracts and on through the top of the strut to install a 3/16" dia rod about 1.125" long. I ground down two flats on the rod, one on each end for about 1/4" with the flat facing back. Then, I machined a small block of 6061 Al to bolt onto the retract sides, and hold 2x 6-32 screws that play the same role as the screws on Mick's design .. they engage the flat spots on the 3/16 rod's ground areas.
At least on the bench it feels VERY rigid, and places all the stress of ground handling on the 3/16 rod and the Al block .. none of the shocks should stress the little tab on top of the strut that rides the track in the gear blocks.
We will have to see how it works but I think this may be a viable solution.
Also, inspired by Mick, changing over to a hydraulic drive for the gear and doors.. more on that if anyone is interested.
A few pics...odd that they come in upside down when originating on a phone..sorry about that.
Dave
