When converting a model that calls for a fuselage mounted landing gear to a wing mounted gear, is there any rule of thumb to how far apart the wheels should be? Does the wingspan play a part in the spacing?
Thank you
Mike
If wingspan played no part in the spacing, then Piper Cubs would have wheels spaced 4" apart, or 1/2-A planes would have wheels spaced six feet apart. I won't even get into suppositions about B-36 landing gear in this context.
I'm thinking that if I were really concerned with this I'd make a test wing with several different landing gear mounts, and try everything from wingtip mount to bicycle gear. I suspect I'd find out that a too-narrow gear is susceptible to the plane rocking on landing, or dragging the outer wingtip, while too-wide gear (A) looks odd, and (B) is susceptible to untoward yaw as one wheel or the other gets too much grip on the tarmac or grass. Ultimately it would boil down to personal preference, a dose of what you tend to fly off of, and whatever works for folks around you.