Ok, I?ll try contributing for a change. I?m working on attaching my Diehl landing gear to the front of my spar, but how do you get the wings shaped right with the gear in the way? Obviously a lot of you have figured something out, but here?s what I?m doing.
Start by gluing all the foam in place. Sand it to shape. Then cover it with plastic, or duct tape. I used duct tape, but that caused a few (minor) problems. Once it?s covered, lay up a couple layers of glass over top. Once that cures, pull the fiberglass off - you now have a skin for the leading edge. (Mine is fairly floppy, but that isn?t an issue.) Using a razor blade, cut out the area you need to install the landing gear. I went ahead and cut out about half the foam, all the way from the leading edge back to the main spar, so I?d have room to work. Attach your gear bracket and leg. Now replace the foam you removed, cutting clearances for the landing gear as necessary. Do the same with the skin. Once it fits the way it should, mix up some micro and apply some to the cut-out foam, and the rest over the entire leading edge surface. Remember that skin? Now?s the time to attach it. I put mine in position, then started wrapping it with more duct tape to hold it tight against the foam. Once that cures, you?ve got a perfect leading edge profile with fixed gear installed. I?ll personally be adding another couple layers of fiberglass to tie the leading edge in with the rest of the wing? but I haven?t gotten that far yet. -Matt
