FT MiG 3 replaceable articulated skis

thingiverse

Want to convert your warbirds for all-season action? Get ready for year-round flying with these spring-loaded skis that let you take off, land, and taxi on snow. Skis and struts are both replaceable in case of breakage, or if you just want to switch back to summer operation. Look out for wheel pants to easily convert back to summertime. In addition to the printed parts, you will need: 10 M3*12 pan head machine screws and hex nuts. Longer screws are okay. Everbilt 84-piece spring assortment kit, available from the door hardware aisle at Home Depot. Superglue and kicker. INSTRUCTIONS Step 1: Build your MiG until you're ready to close the wing. But don't close it yet; you want access inside still. Step 2: Prepare the hardpoints You'll notice that the nut recesses on the hardpoint have a single layer of filament blocking the screw holes. Clear the holes before proceeding. Insert a hex nut into each of the recesses, and glue in the X-shaped retainer over top. The nut should be completely ensconced and held securely so they can be screwed in without rotating. Step 3: Measure for the hardpoints The hardpoints have an arrow pointing towards the front of the plane and a notch on the front and back sides. Line up the notches with the landing gear slot, as far forward as possible without interfering with the wing fold. Make sure they're even. Press them onto the inner surface of the foamboard just enough to mark where the posts go. Cut these holes out. The hardpoint should sit flush with the outer paper or nearly so. Step 4 (Optional but highly recommended): Reinforce the wing The stock landing gear wire has the advantage of being able to bend to handle hard landings. Plastic gear legs do not, so we want to spread impacts over as much foam as possible. If you're using a speed build kit, the landing gear slot will already be cut out, making it weak. The best course of action is to cut a spanwise slot in the wing in the middle of the hardpoint, avoiding cutting through the bottom paper like making a fold. Lay one or two barbecue skewers or perhaps a larger piece of balsa or basswood into this slot and glue the landing gear slot shut. Step 5: Finish the wing Glue the hardpoint in place and finish building your plane. Step 6: Install the skis With your chosen skis printed out, you'll need to turn up the edges by (optionally) using a heat gun or hair dryer to bend them at the crease lines. Then, glue them into place. Select two springs for each ski from the box. By default, both 3/8-inch diameter springs will put the ski in a nose-up attitude, recommended for deep snow. If you're using the skids on hard ground, pick two other springs that point the skis further down to avoid prop strikes. With your chosen springs, insert a nut into the recess on the leg and screw the ski into it, then screw the leg into the plane, and take to the skies.