Hi all,

I have a 2M Jekyll pattern plane with 5/32" wire retract struts and I am in the process of learning pattern flying. It seems I have to replace the struts after each day of flying off of our grass field. The struts wire bends at the exit of the retract linkage support. I roll out probably longer on my take off and landings more than average, but do not land it hard. I am finally getting so frustrated with them that I want to either replace the plane with a new plane or replace the landing gear with fixed gear. I was hoping I might get some opinions from the pattern folks out there in these forums.

1) Would replacing the wire struts with the Titanium struts from Central Hobbies help my bending problem?
2) Installing Carbon Fiber fixed gear forward of the wing. Anything I need to be aware of if I go this route? Just add sheeting to the wing to fill the old retract holes?

One other item and sorry it is off topic, are there any links to 401 sportsman videos that would have a narrative of the sequence and description of the box? I have looked at the NSRCA site and it lacks a video.

Thanks for all advice,
Mitch