How to repair broken landing gear?

Depending how small the strut area is you may be able to drill small holes in each piece and place wire rod in each piece. That will reinforce the strut and give you more area to glue to.

Thanks, MKelley, I'll consider that.  It may be difficult to drill holes in that thin strut, but I know it would work if I can manage to drill the holes.

Is there any way you can drill out a small hole on both sides of the broken parts so a pin could be inserted? I`ve repaired 1/48 landing gear using strait pins or sewing needles.

...sorry, didn`t see MKelly`s post...lol.

You can use the pin method, or possibly use some aluminum/brass tubing as a sleeve (may not look entirely accurate) or go for some aftermarket stuff.

I have several finger drills I use for such occasions. I have a few more that are even thinned than these but they don't photograph well. I takes time but I slowly drill out a hole for some thin wire to fit into as a support. Use slow cure cyanoacrylate, after the pin is installed on one side let the glue dry completely before gluing the other.  I have a F/A-18A that has a landing gear that was broken and I drilled through the tire and strut to put in a pin. Be sure to prefit everything twice.

Great advise here.

Chuck, sorry that happened and I sincerely hope you don't take this wrong, but...... with your level of experience, it is somehow reassuring to know I'm not the only one who ends up in modelling messes like this. Thank you for making me feel less of a inept modeler, my friend.

I hope you get this sorted and am very confident that you will. Likely stronger and better than new.

I've had a similar debacle happen before and as long as you can get the struts to line up correctly, I'd first try gluing them on, letting it setup and CAREFULLY let it sit.........perhaps part of a fixed dio base.

Thank you all for your suggestions.  I'll get this bugger fixed, one way or another!

Chuck

Hi, Chuck - That's nothing new in my world, done it plenty of times. I have used the finger drills for placement of wire, usually works well. But my favoured way is to carefully fit the broken bits together, scribe lines on both sides 180 degrees apart, both strut pieces, while held temporarily together. Then with the strut bits apart, using a VERY fine miniature saw blade I cut lengthwise into both strut pieces, carefully following the scribed lines. 1/8th to 1/4th inch seems plenty of depth.

Then I place appropriate size strip stock piece into one strut part, placing the other part onto it to check for correct length of strip stock. If it's too long I just file or sand, to ensure strut pieces fit together accurately. The strip stock should be protruding slightly, from both sides of each strut piece.

Your choice of thin liquid cement, (I use Testors or Tamiya Extra Thin,) with strut pieces aligned and fitting well just flow cement into the strut joint, and along the saw cut, to cement strip stock throughout the repair area. After a curing length, (two or three days,) just file/sand the excess strip stock flush with the strut sides, always works well for me.

Cheers.

Patrick

Thats an original and interesting idea.

Thanks!

More interesting ideas!  Thanks, guys!

Chuck

Great idea patrick !  I  learn something new almost every time I read this site, wich is daily.  Ty all for the selfless info.