One leg done, three to go!

I've fixed the slider to the pivot arm...

...and fixed the shaped vertical "foot"(?) to the slider mech, then temporarily fitted it into the airframe to test the fit. While I was at it, I clamped a servo in place and connected a pushrod to the retract control linkage, then plugged in the servo controller for a demo (see video, below).

Prototype L/G slider

The slider mech I mentioned in the last post, has to be lightweight and compact. I had come up with a possible solution, but it would've been a bit clunky. The alternative came from a sacrificial plastic vernier caliper that I got free, many moons ago, with some tech magazine. It's very light, free moving and ready made (kind of).

I'm interested in the centre sliding pieces. The cross-section shows the interlocking profiles that would be difficult to replicate by hand.

I hacked a mock-up and glued it to the gear arm, as proof of concept. There's a small spring fitted behind the slide that took around 1.5 kg quite nicely (there will be four of them). My concern is it may be too long to fit snuggly in the fuselage. Video below shows the proof of concept. Now I need to make it more robust.

Obviously, this will all be painted and disguised!

Landing gear prototype - video

Finally, a L/G design that might work!

I got some time to work on the landing gear and came up with a design that gives the desired look and motion, while still being lightweight. I bodged together a prototype that kind-of works. Photos below.

Showing gear in stowed position.

Showing gear in deployed position.

I'm hoping that on the real thing; I can have the vertical piece on a sprung slider, to give added effect and possibly some shock absorption upon touch-down. This really needs a video...