FS Design
Studio
Making an Aircraft - Tutorial Part 2,
by Ron Anderson
If you need to Split your fuselage to refine
the shape in certain areas just be sure you don't move any points where
the split piece joins the whole fuselage. Once you have finished you can
rejoin the Split part.
Now let's add some landing gear. Begin by
selecting Part, Add, and select Tube. Set the length to 4, radius to 0.2,
points/section to 12, sections to 1, select the closed top and bottom and
long axis in the Y as pictured below.

Select the Scale mode and Part mode,
restrict the Y and Z axis and shape the tube into an ellipse when looking
at it in the top view.

Select the Move Mode and move the part to
the Front Gear position. Now select Cross section and press N to select
the lower Cross section. And Scale Mode, restrict the Y axis and rescale
the Cross Section until it's about the size of the lower part of the
landing gear strut of the backdrop. You will have to select restrict the X
or Z axis as well at some point to make the strut the correct shape so
experiment. Rescale it in one axis at a time if you feel more comfortable
this is your project. Note that I have used the axle as a reference to
rescale the lower Cross Section.

Now select Part Mode, select Transform from
the menu and Rotate 45 degrees in the Z. Then select Transform, Rotate -20
degrees in the X. Select Move Mode and move the Strut into position over
the backdrop.

Save the Part as Landing Gear Strut R. Now
select Part, Add, Tube and set the radius to 0.1, length to. 55,
points/section 12, Closed Left/Right, 1 section and long axis X. Then move
it over the axle on the backdrop and rescale it until it is the proper
size to intersect with the strut. Move points on the lower part of the
strut to make it conform to the axle tube and save as Landing Gear Strut
R. When you're finished it will look something like this.

Now Save the Project file. Select Part, Add,
Tube. Set the radius .4, length .8, 12 points/section, long axis X, 5
sections and open ends. Move this tube into position over the axle and
wheel.

Center the view on the axle and zoom in.
Using the centerline of the axle line up the tube. Now select Cross
Section mode, restrict Y and Z axis and move the inner Cross sections to
form the wheel hub and the brake backing plate then move the Cross
Sections nearest the end Cross Sections out toward the ends until they
line up.

Select Scale mode and scale the end cross
sections until they form the rim or the wheel. Select Point mode and using
the Selection tool, select the points that form the 2 center Cross
sections one at a time. Then select Polygon, Make Polygon and flip if
necessary until the visual flag points toward the center. Select Polygon
Mode, press "A", select Polygon, Flip all selected. Press shift U to
unselect all polygons. Then using "N" or "P" cycle through the Polygons
until you have selected the one that will make the brake backing plate.
Right click on a window and select properties. Set the color to dark grey.
Select Part Mode, press shift "S", using the "N" or "P" select the landing
gear strut then press shift "S". Now select Part, Join selected and save
it as Landing Gear R.

Select Part, Add, Tube, make the radius.8,
length .8, 12 points/section, 9 sections, long axis X and open on the
ends.

Move it into position over the wheel and
center it on the axle as we did with the wheel. Select Scale mode, Cross
Section mode and one at a time rescale the Cross Sections until you have a
rounded shape for your tire making sure the end Cross Sections match the
rim of the wheel. Right click, select Properties and set the color to dark
grey. Save this as Tire R. Then press shift "S", using "N" or "P" select
the Landing Gear R, press shift "S", select Part, Join selected and save
as Landing gear R. Press control "C" control "V", select Transform, Flip
Y, Transform, Rotate Z 180. Select Move mode, restrict Y and Z axis and
move the Left Gear into position then save this as Landing Gear L. Now
Save your Project file. You have just made the Main Gear for your Cessna
185, Congratulations!!!



Now, using the method you just learned, make
a tail gear.
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