FDM Sailplane main gear legs

thingiverse

I am in the process of printing the fuselage and tailplane, soon to be followed by the wings. Instead of carbon fiber, I'm using lightweight brass or aluminum tubing, enlarging holes as necessary on my drill press. The design is incredibly sturdy, and I plan to install an ArduPilot system on board. Additionally, I have upgraded to a more powerful motor and a 3-bladed prop (as I couldn't find the specified one but found its equivalent in the US). One challenge I face is landing, as my prop lacks folding blades, necessitating legs. To create a nose strut, you can bend up a torsion spring leg from hanger wire. I recommend printing this part, oriented on its side to maximize bending strength. A piece of bent wire placed in a slot can support the leg, absorbing most of the impact when landing. For those in the US, 2-inch wheels will suffice (ensuring clearance from the prop). While I haven't tested this gear placement yet, it will be located near the trailing edge of the wing for optimal weight and balance. Please proceed with caution as this is an untested design. To enhance rigidity, I plan to enlarge the hole for the embedded wire and use a larger screw drilled through its length.