The tires and wheels are machined from synthetic wood. The parts shown from left to right are: the main wheel hub (leftmost), two main wheel tires (center), and the tail wheel tire material (rightmost). Because the tail wheel hub is small, it is made from a piece of plastic sprue.

Fig. 4-2-1 Tire Materials

The tires and wheels were shaped as follows. The tires were first roughly rounded by cutting off the corners of the wooden block with a knife, then refined with a file to form the curvature, and finally smoothed with sandpaper. The tread pattern was created using a serrated file. The wheels were turned into cylinders in the same manner as the spinner and annular radiator, and small details were added with brass pipes and nickel silver wires. The rightmost part is the tail wheel and hub. The tires and wheels are painted separately and then assembled by fitting the wheels into the tires after painting.

Fig. 4-2-2 Tire Shaping

The photo shows the wheels temporarily fitted into the tires. After this test fit, the parts are separated and painted individually. Finally, the wheels are permanently inserted into the tires and secured.

Fig. 4-2-3 Temporary Tire Assembly

To complete the landing gear bay, the rotation socket for the main gear strut is fabricated. On the left is the rotation socket: a brass tube drilled with a pin vise, into which a brass rod serving as the rotation axis is inserted and soldered. On the right is the main gear strut: a brass rod drilled at one end to insert and solder a thin brass pipe that serves as the wheel axle. Before assembly, the tip of the brass rod must be filed to slightly reduce its diameter so that it fits smoothly into the socket.

Fig. 4-2-4 Main Strut Fabrication

With the major body components completed, work proceeds to the landing gear assembly. Since the strut sockets were already fabricated during the landing gear bay construction, the wheel axle and retraction-arm mount are soldered to the strut. Next, eight mounting bolts for the gear cover are added to the strut. Using a custom jig as shown in the photo, 0.4 mm brass wire is inserted into a brass tube, set in the jig, and soldered to the strut. After soldering, excess solder is removed with a design knife and the surface is finished with a file.

Fig. 4-2-5 Main Strut Soldering Process

After soldering the main gear struts, retraction arms, and tail wheel strut, a coat of metal primer is applied for corrosion protection.

Fig. 4-2-6 Metal Priming of Struts

The landing gear covers consist of two parts: the upper cover (strut cover) secured to the strut with eight bolts, and the lower cover (wheel cover) attached to a bracket near the wheel axle. As the oleo strut extends or retracts, the upper cover slides within a groove inside the lower cover. The outer surface of each cover is made from 0.1 mm plastic sheet, and the inner surface from 0.5 mm sheet. The eight 0.4 mm nickel silver wires soldered to the strut are inserted into holes drilled in the inner face of the upper cover and then fixed in place.

Fig. 4-2-7 Gear Cover Construction

The parts on the right are for the right main gear. The upper cover fits onto the eight 0.4 mm nickel silver wires soldered to the strut, and the lower cover attaches to the 0.4 mm nickel silver fittings located on both sides of the wheel axle. On the left are the left gear components, shown temporarily assembled with both upper and lower covers attached to the strut. After this test fitting, the parts are disassembled, painted separately, and then permanently assembled.

Fig. 4-2-8 Test Fitting of Gear Covers

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