Robust Gear for A-10 Thunderbolt II Eflite

thingiverse

#Robust Gear for A-10 Thunderbolt II (Eflite) ##The Story A decade-long dream finally came true when I purchased an A-10 from Eflite, a renowned manufacturer of amazing planes. The instructions indicated that the built-in retract system could be used on a smooth grass surface. Despite knowing our RC airfield wasn't ideal, I was eager to test my new plane's capabilities. ##The Solution After experiencing damage to the retract system following every flight, I knew it was time to find an alternative solution. The first step was to remove the retract completely, which resulted in a significant reduction of 300 grams in weight. Next, I designed and constructed a sturdy fixed gear system that perfectly integrated into my A-10. This custom solution allowed me to start taking off from the ground with ease, reducing the overall weight of the plane by approximately 250 grams. To create the front gear hole, I used a 3D-printed part (A10_Front_Inlay) that fit seamlessly into place. To assemble the gear system, I inserted the blocks into the plates using gentle pressure or glue. Since four spacers are required to center the wheel, I printed them out multiple times and glued them onto the wheel itself. I then re-drilled the holes with a 3.2mm drill bit and secured the wheels in place using two M3 screws (30mm long) along with nuts for added stability. For this project, I chose high-quality wheels from Aeronaut, boasting a diameter of 50mm and a width of 12mm.