Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Does anyone have any experience installing a heavier duty landing gear on the Phoenix Dolphin? I'm interested in swapping out the 1/4" rod for the Dubro Super Strength landing gear: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNM65

I'd love any advice or to hear about your experience doing this.

Thanks.

Jburry

Well, there are a few problems with installing stronger landing gear on a plane.

First, if you add weight, that's never a good thing.

2nd, the strenght of the gear (assuming the manufacturer got it right) is a compromise between strong enough gear and gear flexible enough to take the brunt of hard landings and thus save the airframe.

If the gear you install is significantly stronger or stiffer than the stock gear, you may end up with extensive fuse repairs instead of simple LG repairs after one of those thumpers.

1/4" music wire is some pretty meaty gear struts for a .40 size plane. 3/16 is more typical.

I've only seen one ARF at our club yet that needed stronger gear, a .40 size Hyperion Yak that has aluminum gear so soft it bends during taxiing. Apparantly Hyperion let a few weak ones out in early production kits. It's REALLY soft.

More often, it's the landing gear plate that should be reinforced. Some tristock and epoxy inside the fuse usually firms it up nicely.

J

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

I've got to agree with Jburry. Many times when people need to "beef up" their landing gear it's usually because their landings are too hard. Instead of strengthing the landing gear work on your landings so that it doesn't tear up the landing gear when you land.

Ken

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Maybe I 'mis-spoke', which I learned is OK to do from the Clinton Regime. Really I wanted to do this for looks. I love the way the plane looks, but hate the way the landing gear looks (1/4" rod). Would love something like a Duraluminum gear to better match the looks of the plane. (Landings, at least with 'my' 'new' Avistar have been SOOOO soft, if you greased the runway you'd be applying more force than my plane)

Thanks.

duster one

I HAD THIS SAME PLANE AND LOVED IT . I INSTALED ALUMINUM GEAR AND A SET OF WHEEL PANTS WORKED GREAT AND LOOKED GOOD TO.

duster one

I HAD THIS SAME PLANE AND LOVED IT . I INSTALED ALUMINUM GEAR AND A SET OF WHEEL PANTS WORKED GREAT AND LOOKED GOOD TO.

ChuckW

I could have sworn that I posted in this thread but I don' see it. anyhow, I'd give the stock LG a chance, like I said here: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7549406/tm.htm

I know wire isn't the best looking stuff but it gets the job done. When and if it gets bent, just bend it back.

traski

My Feedback: (1)

I just installed my gear (stock). I painted the wood with epoxy thined down to reinforce. Then stuck a little sho goo in with the wire. It looks OK but I was thinking of getting a carbon fiber LD set up...just for looks. Then reminded my self this is only my second plane and I should not get wraped up in looks at this point.

Motor, motor push rod, and tank is installed installing the servos and the 2 wooden push rods tomorrow.

The plane is easy to build...the instructions are weak...but I can figure it...so anyone can.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

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