Monogram 1/48 B-29 landing gear

I'd say to get some metal replacement gear struts. If there is an option between white metal and brass, go with the brass. Resin is quite brittle and can easily snap. 

https://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/moreinfo.cfm?KIT=25

The plastic gear are fine.  I built one many moons ago, loaded up the forward fuselage with dead "D" batteries and plasticine, and had no problems whatsoever.  I was a wee lad back then, so a lot of take-offs and landings were performed, and the gear never failed.

White metal landing gear are actually more malleable than styrene.  If aftermarket landing gear makers want to truly offer stonger gear, they would have to be made of brass or bronze.

And remember - put just enough weight to get the plane to balance on its gear, plus a little extra.  The old wives' tale about "collapsing the nose gear" is bunk, unless you put a truly excessive amount of weight up front - it's the main gear that will be taking the brunt of the added weight.

Linebacker

The 1/48 Revell/Monogram B-29 is on my short list of planes to build.  I have read that it takes a lot of added weight in the nose for the plane to rest on its nosewheel.  I have further read that the plastic landing gear over time may weaken from all the weight and bend or collapse.  Is this true?  If so, is it better to replace the kit landing gear with metal after-market landing gear or perhaps make molds of the kit landing gear and replace it with resin landing gear? 

If you're going to finish the aircraft with its landing gear deployed, another option is to mount it on a base, whether just a display base or even for a diorama.  Then you can use a small bolt, embedded in one of the nose wheels, to anchor the model to the base.  I first learned that idea from Shep Paine's diorama tips.  I think he used that technique in his B-29 diorama, and also in his P-61 diorama.

I built that model a few years ago. The plastic landing gear are not a problem. However, the nose needs a lot of weight.

First I glued Pinwood Derby weights to the underside of the front crew compartment.

Next I put lead fishing weights into a plastic bag and put them behind the pilot bulkhead.  Go here to see detailed information: http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/177188.aspx?page=1

I'll send you links to my complete build of the B-29. It has a number of nasty issues.

Here are the links to Part 1 and Part 2 of the build. 

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/174977.aspx

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/175141.aspx

Here is a link to the finished model. The model was published in the December 2018  FSM magazine.

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/177401.aspx

I have on occasion drilled the landing gear & wheel & used a sewing needle (thin & strong) to reinforce it.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for!

That's what I remember reading about the white metal.  I will either go with brass (if I can find it) or leave the plastic.   

I went to the pictures of your build, quite impressive, particularly the Baremetal foil work.  I've done some of that and it can be quite tedious and aggravating.  Since you are as close to an expert as I've encountered, I have a question about the nacelles on your 29.  I have read that the Monogram 1/48 model was taken from the Enola Gay which had a different type of nacelle (as did all the nuclear bombers) than the normal run of the mill B-29.  If I remember tight, the air scoop is different on the nuclear bombers because of a more powerful engine.  Have you encountered anything about that?  And, if so, is there a fix for this?

Have you tired tungsten paste?  It is the latest thing they are using to weight Pinewood Derby racers (Cub Scouts make them out of wood, I think). I found some at Hobbylobby and it is available on Amazon.  I haven't used it yet but Tungsten is more dense than lead so more mass in a smaller space.  Also, being a paste, there is no space lost to air gaps.  

Here is some info regarding the cowlings. I do not know if the resin parts are still available.

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234993700-b-29-superfortress-replacement-engine-cowlings-148/