
The perseverance has paid off.
Thanks to the active search of numerous enthusiasts, two complete Bf-109 landing gear legs (ex Pilatus P-2) have been sitting in my workshop for the past three days. My thanks go to Robert Stadler, Peter Dätwyler, Mark Küpfer, and especially to Peter Hemmig, the owner of the Pilatus P-2 from which the landing gear comes. He acquired the aircraft directly from the Air Force in 1982 and has since stored it with great care.
The parts are therefore in perfect condition. A first inspection revealed no corrosion or damage. This is in stark contrast to the same landing gear legs I came across in Norway, which were heavily corroded by seawater and incomplete. With the almost ready-to-install landing gear legs now available, I can begin designing the landing gear mounting and retraction mechanism on CAD. At the same time, the Bf-109 drum brakes are being dismantled, and I'm looking for suitable wheels and disc brakes.