Gear Leg Alternative Covering

[FFTravism]

I wanted to share an idea I had and I been able to implement and I think it looks good. I am doing Kydex for a lot of the interior and figured it would make a good gear leg covering. A Kydex covered gear leg will take any rough backcountry landing you could toss at it.

I made a paper template and then cut it out in Kydex. I bent it with a heat gun from Harbor Freight. I used Nut Plates to seal the Kydex wrap up. At the top of the gear leg and on the backside.

I learned a few things about Kydex. First if you heated a area and put a clamp on it to keep it from moving it will leave indents. A bit of a "Duh" moment. Work the Kydex slow and don't force it. Kydex cuts easy with sheet metal tools.

I purchased 4'x8' .060 black Kydex sheets.
For some data the gear leg Kydex wrap weights 2lbs 2oz. More then fabric but way tougher.

[Nev]

Nice work. The edges sand pretty easily with sandpaper too.

[TJ_Slice]

While we are talking about Kydex, how have the interior panels you did holding up Nev?

[Battson]

Very nice handiwork with the kydex, I can appreciate that wouldn't have been easy to do.

For one datapoint, after more than a dozen years of robust backcountry and off-airport treatment - rougher than most - the fabric on my landing gear legs is completely unscathed. The paint has come off in a few places, but the fabric is more than strong enough.

[FFTravism]

The strength of fabric really surprises me .

[Nev]

While we are talking about Kydex, how have the interior panels you did holding up Nev?

The Kydex interior panels have held up very well. No maintenance required on those so far. They are hard wearing and stand up to plenty of boot scuff marks. Would definitely use Kydex again. The one area that I would reconsider is the wing root panels. Mine are in direct sunlight and can get quite hot. Initially this resulted in some slight warping. Although it hasn't changed since new and is barely noticeable.

[TJ_Slice]

Thanks for the update. I am planning on trying it out as well.

[interstate al]

I also used Kydex for interior panels. I didn't think about using it for my gear legs. I actually wrapped mine in aluminum and rivited on. The brake lines aren't accessible without drilling rivets, so I used braided brake hoses.

[FFTravism]

Do you have an pictures of your interior Kydex panels? I am just starting to work on them.
Travis

[Nev]

Here's a few photos of the Kydex during my build. My aft cargo bulkhead is also made from Kydex, with a velcroed removable inspection panel.

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[svyolo]

Various types of fabric are extremely tough for landing gear/exterior/interior. If you never have to take it off traditional fabric or Oratex is great. If you have to take it off. something stiffer like composite or kydex might be better. I used composite. Kydex works and looks great. Might be less work than composite. But heavier than thin composite. Your choice.