Sig cap 231 is one bad machine when it comes to 3d it excells. If you come in under 11lbs that is normal for this bird. I never did ripped my gear off, and all my landing were not of the caliber of my landings today. I say the plane is light and very strong. The plane again will not take the kind of abuse an overbuilt plane will take. So honestly look at how you land. It you are the type to come in from 10' and drop the plane 1 out of 3 times maybe the gear will come out. If you fly a plane to the runway, this one willl be a piece of cake. Blenders and flatspins this thing has along with caps in general is the ticket (huge elevaotor to stab ratio, larger rudder) I had 2 of these plane back in the day and i gave my 1st one hell (knife edge snaps, blenders, flat spins, poor throttle mangement and she held together quite well. She did how ever from my abuse break a wing on me in flight from a very fast outside to inside rolling circle (6 months of life RIP). Total loss as i could not move my left finger off 1/2 throttle as i watch her dive in to the frozen ground to destroy a satio 180. No fault of Sig or the planes structure. Again this was my intoduction into 1/4 scales, and i flew her hard young and dumb looking back at how i treat a plane now a days. This a very popular kit you should be able to see one personally around your way.