XL landing gear strengthening?

[Shay King]

Hi Guys,
I’ve recently finished the wings for my XL (not covered yet) and I’m starting back at the fuselage. I’m trying to figure out the landing gear, so some questions incoming over the next while.
I have several different versions of landing gear pages. One page 24 shows the long (21.5”) shock strut as 5/8 X 0.49 increased from 0.35. I’ll have to order some new tubing for that.
Have any of the other landing gear tubes been up-sized?
I’ve seen a photo of a bent gear on the forum and that shock strut wasn’t the one that bent.
Any recommendations appreciated.

[pappyadkins]

Most will tell ya, build it to plans... some have up sized the tubing to .49... some will tell ya you'd rather bend the gear than the frame... I know this may not be much help, more just some food for thought... I tend to lean towards, build to plans, but then again, I haven't bent my gear yet....

[Chuck in Indiana]

The gear is the weak point. Comma but, it takes a *really* hard landing to bend it, especially if the spring is installed. The videos I've seen where the gear was bent included dropping it in about 3 feet. Sure, a Cub will handle that, but this is a delicate ship in comparison. As long as you keep the speed up and don't flare too high, it should be no problem. Fortunately, it is an easy fix in comparison to bending a longeron..   YMMV, but that is my thought.

[Shay King]

Thanks guys.