I decided to try a conventional landing gear of sorts on a PBXL. I've had so much fun with the first one, though have dorked it so many times that I've knocked out the landing gear blocks several times. I realize that there is a lesson to be learned here - Don't laugh so hard when you are trying to fly / hover / harrier a few inches off of the ground.
Well I thought that I would try something a little different and install a conventional landing gear block and install landing gear with nylon bolts so they will break away. This way I won't have to give up the laughter!
I thought that I would share my modifications just in case anybody else was interested.
The following is a few pics for your better understanding of these modifications.
PIC #1 Shown with SIG Mid Star 40 landing gear (stagged only)
Kevin

Here is another view
Kevin

I notched out the 1/8" lite ply nose reinforcements for the 1/8" aircraft ply landing gear block
Kevin

Here is another PIC. I used scrap balsa pcs. to fill in the laser cut notches for the landing gear blocks. I then sanded the scrap balsa pcs to the contour of the ribs as seen in this pic.
Kevin

Pic #5
Kevin

Geez, if that's your only problem then yer doin' all right in MY book.............

Did it increase the weight much? What does it weigh over all?

Weight - I don't know! I haven't finished it. I put on the wing tips this morning. The wing is framed up. Current weight is about 7 ounces, as is. I am posting pics as I progress. I have yet to build the fuse, rudder and elevons. I have set this one up for Hitec 225 mini servos. I don't think that the landing gear block it going to add any weight because the 1/8" aircraft ply is replaceing the two hardwood blocks. The aluiminum landing gear should weigh about the same as the two 1/8" steel music landing wires. I would summize that it should be awlfully close to a break even. Since I am running a Webra 32 with a Mac header and moose can. a couple of ounces difference is sure as heck not going to make much difference in my set-up, though just in case I decided to switch to the Hitec 225s.
I'll let you know what is comes out weight wise once I finish it.
Kevin.

don't miss the mouse can headers offered by diamond duct rc. got mine this week. it is top notch stuff. header is of macs quality and the can and attachment is perfectly done. bolt and fly for 25 bucks when you mention rcu.....like 4 bucks for mailing..
just thought you might like the input

How about giving us their website - Thanks!
Kevin

KEVIN
did you knocth doublers 1/8 or 1/4 . Are the 2pcs of 1/8 same size & glued together?

Thanks
{P.S.} I hope to get started on PBXL this week . Seems like I had to build spad dogfightwes for about 1/2 of our club members .
Now clear workbench & get started

OldRCer - I notched the 1/8" lite ply pieces to accomodate 1/8" aircraft ply piece. I then laminated another piece of 1/8" aircraft ply of the same size to the other. The aircraft ply's width is the same as the firewall including the interlocking tabs. I sized the width based on a set of SIG landing gear for a Mid Star 40. I ensured that the LGB was angled forward slightly to make sure that the wheels' axles lined up with the leading edge of the PBXL.
Hope that this helps explain things better.

So far, with everything built for it, no gear, this PBXL is still just under 1/2 lb. I believe that wood selection makes a bigger impact on overall weight over using the individual landing gear blocks with 1/8" wire landing gear vs. this new way with the single LGB and conventional landing gear.
Kevin

Here is a pic of the modified PBXL. This one has conventional landing gear. I used LG off of a SIG Mid Star 40 that I bent some more to give more prop clearance.
Kevin

Here is another shot. I used HiTec 225s all the way around, HiTec 555 receiver, 700 mA NiCad Batt. pack. This one is over 1/2 lb. lighter over the original. I contribute the weight lost to the mini servos, more selective in wood selection, and the aircraft ply landing gear block over the hardwood blocks in the original. I have the same engine and moose can as the one that I had on the original (Webra 32 with Mac extra long header with MCM).
Kevin

This PBXL flies significantly better then the original. I attribute it to its weight loss. I was afraid that the conventional LG would effect its flat spin performance, though did not what so ever! It is more algile, though expected with the weight loss. I still need to program in more expo in the throttle. Its harder to hover at a constant altitude becuase one click of the throttle is too much. It just starts to climb. This is the kind of problem you love to have.
Enjoy the pics.
Kevin

Thanks for pic's. I plan to use a tower uproar L.G. which should fit
the mod. IS that a modified 10X4 prop? How is full throttle flight?
Will you be at swap meet in Burlington N.C. in Jan.?

Yes, the prop on my modified PBXL is a modified Zinger 10x4. I would not recommend full throttle on this one at any time. It screams straight up at half throttle The PBXL does not like speed, though was not designed for speed at all.
The UpRoar landing gear should work well.
Let me know how you make out.
Kevin
P.S. Can you give me more information on the Swap meet in NC Jan? I may go. I have reservered a couple of tables at Perry, GA end of Feb.

KEVIN
Theirad is in JAN. MOD. AVIA. pg. 147. They have about 160 tables & it is usually packed. Table revervation is recommended . This will be my 6th. year in a row & I still enjoy. IF you do go &
res. a table let me know the no. 7 I'll look you up.

Ray - I think I know that your describing, but be sure to post a pic to ensure that there is no misunderstanding.
Kevin

KEVIN_ Can't post yet I haven't learned enough about wife's new cam. Tower L.G. is 1/8 wire and held on w/ 4 L.G. straps
& I'll modify it if need be. Can't work on it just yet. I got a flu shot Thursday & it [ or something else} gave me worse cold I've had in many yrs. hopefully I can start in a couple of days. The kit & book & plans look great.

Ray

Thanks for the compliments - OldRCer! I really appreciate it. I think that you'll find that if you use the GP Landing gear #2, or the SIG Mid Star 40 aluminum landing will work well. I now realize the LG that you are speaking of. It is the same as the GP Dazzler LG with the bent V in the center of attachment. I am sure that it will work all right. I just don't know if your new LG block will have to be any larger than what I had to put in for the Mid Star 40 LG. Also, I don't know if the Up Roar LG is any lighter than the Mid Star 40. Good luck!
Sorry to hear of your cold. Every time I got a flu shot, I got the flu. Since I stopped getting a flu shot, I've done better.
Hope that you get better soon!
Kevin