3D-printed STRUT COVERS for Fun Scale Models P-63

Description

In addition to the scale spinners and wheels that we offer, we also have strut covers to transform the plain music-wire landing gear for Derek Micko’s Fun Scale Models P-63 King Cobra!  (these could also be used for a P-39 Airacobra)  Please see the pictures and drawings below.  The decorative strut covers are made in two halves and simply glue over the wire landing gear to really dress up the model. The struts can accommodate wire sizes 0.047 to 1/16 (0.062).

The P63 had a unique design for the landing gear- the main struts are short with an offset yoke and inward-facing scissors, and the landing gear doors were on the outside of the yoke. The nose gear is long with a dual yoke, front-facing scissors, and no door covers attached to the strut.   Please refer to these detailed drawings by Derek Micko – SHEET 1 and SHEET 2

This set includes two main struts (left and right) and one nose strut.  They are designed to use the matching tires and hubs for the P63 which are available separately (click here). The modeler needs to make the gear-door covers (from cardstock, according to the drawing) which are glued to the outside of the struts. 

These pictures display the completed (unpainted) NOSE strut with the nose wheel and tire and the MAIN strut with its wheel and tire.  

SPECIFICATIONS:  white PETG plastic, each strut cover weighs about 1.5gms

The nose strut is 3.5″” long (53.1mm) and the main strut is 2.09″ long (53.1mm)

Note: the struts are designed in two halves which are glued around 1/16″ wire (the wire is not included, but the bending plan is.  You can see the bending jig in the photo above – the customer prints the PDF wire jig and bends the wire to match the drawing exactly.

In addition to the strut covers, Rabid Models also offers a custom-designed 3D-printed 4-blade SPINNER, wheel hubs, and rubber tires for the P-63.  We also have a 3-bladed spinner if you build a P-39. Please explore our catalog of accessories. 

3D-printed parts are unpainted – they should be painted, and you may use any plastic-compatible paint.  Painting is recommended because all plastics will deteriorate over time if exposed to sunlight.  Fasten the two halves of the strut covers onto the landing gear wire with CA or Foam-Tac cement.  The modeler can fill the seam line with modeling filler before sanding and painting. The 1/16″ landing gear wire is not included.

CLICK HERE to download the general instruction sheet for the 3D-printed struts.

CLICK HERE to download the wire bending-guide for the Main Gear

CLICK HERE to download the wire bending guide for the Nose Gear

NOTE: the wire bending guides have a grid to check the size – you may need to adjust the printer output size so that the guide prints in the exact size, for example 102% or 104%.