Procopius Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 So as established in Navy Bird's Lightning build thread a ways back (which rivals the Odyssey or the Aeneid for scope), among the many sins of the Trumpeter Lightning is the fact that it has mammoth, stilt-like landing gear, which stretch upwards for hundreds of miles. Navy Bird fixed this by shortening the gear and using the more correct-looking actuating rods(? made up term for the little arms that pull the gear into the wings) from a Matchbox kit. So my question is, what's the landing gear on the much-cheaper (secondhand, anyhoo) Hasegawa Lightning like? Is it also too long, or could it be used to replace the Trumpeter gear altogether? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 It is quite basic and IIRC the actuating rod, as you called it, is at the wrong angle relative to the leg and wing, doors are very think with no detail. Still usable though, also the wheel bays have dirty great sink marks in them and no detail. Just what you'd expect from a kit of that vintage. If you are making the Trumpton kit can't you just modify the legs from the kit, at least they have some detail to them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 I can shorten them (well, in theory, I'm not good at this, but Navy Bird did) but the actuating rods are molded to the gear and will need removing; they are also apparently inaccurate, and the Matchbox rods (but not the gear) are much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 I found the Trumpeter actuator links (or whatever they're supposed to be called) were very weak (thin) and easy to break. I liked the looks of the Matchbox parts better, especially the folding joint in the middle. Plus, I broke one of the Trumpeter parts, so I had to replace it! Cheers, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 using the more correct-looking actuating rods(? made up term for the little arms that pull the gear into the wings) Radius Rod is the term you are looking for. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 I broke one of the Trumpeter parts, so I had to replace it! Cheers, Bill Aha now the truth comes out, I can see the headlines now. "Navy Bird Ham fisted modeller, shock!" in the style of the British tabloid Press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Aha now the truth comes out, I can see the headlines now. "Navy Bird Ham fisted modeller, shock!" in the style of the British tabloid Press. LOL! I've cocked up more than my share of model parts! Plus, I plan my mistakes so that they are either on the bottom, or inside where nobody can see them. Cheers, Bill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 I plan my mistakes so that they are either on the bottom, or inside where nobody can see them. Cheers, Bill I'm not that good, my mistakes are all unplanned and usually start immediately after opening the box, although in the Trumpton Lightening's case it started with an order for 6 of them before I'd seen the kit ! Duncan B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Cornes Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Have you thought about the Aeroclub replacements? I know they were designed for an earlier kit but they are accurate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted October 30, 2012 Author Share Posted October 30, 2012 Have you thought about the Aeroclub replacements? I know they were designed for an earlier kit but they are accurate! I had no idea they even existed! Tell me more! Where can these wondrous gear legs be obtained? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Cornes Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Well, I'm not sure if they're in production at the moment but you could PM John Aero (proprietor of Aeroclub) on this site to ask him - and he wil be at SMW in a week or two if you are going, or you could have a look on The Aviation Hobby Shop website. They list them as V167 price £4.00 but they don't always have things in stock. If you're not familiar with Aeroclub then it will also open your eyes to the wide range of excellent 'bits' that John is responsible for!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted October 30, 2012 Author Share Posted October 30, 2012 I'm sadly in the USA -- accident of birth, you understand, and I always thought things took a viciously wrong turn c. 1776 or so -- so I'll contact him. I believe I purchased parts to make an early -mark Hunter from him a while back. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Cornes Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Great stuff - well you have seen what he does so I hope that you will be equally pleased with his undercarriages. Seriously though, have a look at TAHS website because it lists a lot of stuff whereas Hannants presently have 9 items listed, which is rather sad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 (edited) TAHS don't have any at present - first place looked when this thread was started. Edited October 30, 2012 by bentwaters81tfw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Cornes Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 You never know, Mr A might have some! Always worth an ask! Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted October 31, 2012 Author Share Posted October 31, 2012 I've sent him a PM, and he swiftly replied. The gear was designed for the Hasegawa kit, but I'm prepared to chance it on the Trumpeter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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