[Black 6]

I got my first Marushin model, a Kate torpedo bomber, last week. A beautiful and VERY heavy model. I put it together and had it on my shelf a couple of days and found that one of the landing gear had collapsed. It appears the wheel, which aren't secured to the strut all that well to begin with (IMO), had popped-off the strut in such a way as to also snap the top of the strut off completely. This is a very important part as it is inserted into a small hole in the wing to fix the wheel strut in place. I have tried everything short of epoxy to fix the wheel to the plane but, as soon as the weight of the model is placed on the repair, the wheel again collapses.

I have sent emails to the vendor and its parent company asking for assistance. I have not yet heard back from them if I can obtain replacement wheels.

I swear, I have had the worst luck with this model. Almost every time I have touched it something happens to it. Must be the feng shui in my office.

Does anyone have ideas what I can do to fix my broken bird if replacement parts aren't forthcoming?

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by Black 6

I got my first Marushin model, a Kate torpedo bomber, last week. A beautiful and VERY heavy model. I put it together and had it on my shelf a couple of days and found that one of the landing gear had collapsed. It appears the wheel, which aren't secured to the strut all that well to begin with (IMO), had popped-off the strut in such a way as to also snap the top of the strut off completely. This is a very important part as it is inserted into a small hole in the wing to fix the wheel strut in place. I have tried everything short of epoxy to fix the wheel to the plane but, as soon as the weight of the model is placed on the repair, the wheel again collapses.

I have sent emails to the vendor and its parent company asking for assistance. I have not yet heard back from them if I can obtain replacement wheels.

I swear, I have had the worst luck with this model. Almost every time I have touched it something happens to it. Must be the feng shui in my office.

Does anyone have ideas what I can do to fix my broken bird if replacement parts aren't forthcoming?

B6, Can you take pics of what the strut looks like??? I may have some ideas on how to fix it if can see what I am dealing with..

[flyXwire]

I'm getting ready to purchase this item: Nakajima Type 97 Bomber KATE : Marushin #28 "Red tail" w/3 yellow bars id# AI-301...
but I'm just a little bit reluctant to pull the trigger for fear that I may experience the same problem B6 have had. Any resolutions yet, Bret? Thanks buddy!

[slammin]

The wheel on mine popped off the strut while I was assembling it. To fix that I ended up pulling the pin a little further out of the wheel. This gives the strut a little more marterial to grab onto. I also pushed a small wire into the pin to expand it a little so that there would be more friction holding it in when it was reinserted into the strut.
The strut on mine is still intact, but you could try drilling the top of the strut and fabricating your own pin go go between the strut and the plane.

[Black 6]

Hiya Fly! The Kate you want is the one I originally wanted, but was gone when I placed the order. The silver Kate I have still looks good though.

Hobby Japan was unable (or unwilling) to assist, but they at least responded to my email asking if replacement parts were available. They said they are not.

I then sent two emails (over the course of a week) direct to Marushin. They never responded at all. Thanks Marushin.

However, I did manage to fix the problem myself with an idea that Harry provided (thanks Harry). I went to a local hobby store and purchased a copper tube just slightly larger than the wheel strut. I cut a small piece from the pipe (roughly 1/8 inch) and fit it over the end of the broken strut forming a sleeve. I then used a Dremel tool to carefully drill a hole into the center of the strut. I found a small nail close to the correct diameter of the hole in the well wheel of the model and the hole in the strut. I cut a piece from the nail and shaped it to fit. With the sleeve in place, I put the "nail" into the hole and epoxied it into place.

After it dried I had a decent repair to the broken strut. The nail was slightly undersized for the hole in the model so I had to white glue it into place for added strength / stability. A small piece of wire was also wrapped once around the very top of the strut and wheel cover to further strengthen the fitting. Unless you are looking up at the bottom of the model or holding it upside down in your hand you do not see the repair. Whew! I was lucky. Otherwise I had a $100 paper weight.

Because of the weight of the model I have foregone attaching the torpedo. However, the bomb looks great in its place. I just need to remember to use a little more caution when moving it around than I would otherwise do with a model.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy that Kate Fly. I just had a freak accident with mine (I have a Raiden too and it doesn't have a problem at all). The models really look cool. Good luck!

[Black 6]

Originally Posted by slammin

The wheel on mine popped off the strut while I was assembling it. To fix that I ended up pulling the pin a little further out of the wheel. This gives the strut a little more marterial to grab onto. I also pushed a small wire into the pin to expand it a little so that there would be more friction holding it in when it was reinserted into the strut.
The strut on mine is still intact, but you could try drilling the top of the strut and fabricating your own pin go go between the strut and the plane.

Thanks Slammin. I ended up using a small nail punch to reflatten the pin in the wheel. I think they either failed to do so when it was built, or the flair wasn't big enough.

As for the strut, that's exactely what I did. See my response to Fly.

[hworth18]

B6, Glad to hear you go the Kate fixed...