Speaking from an engineers point of view, 90% of the aircraft's tyre damage is a result of ground handling, during taxi, sharp turns during pushback and menouvering into hangars etc. Try turning your car with all 4 wheels locked in the same direction as they are in a bogie setup. The damage caused by touchdown is usually limited to a series of v shaped cuts in the surface of the rubber no bigger than 1/2 Inch at most, as i am sure many have noticed during a walkaround. this of course doesnt include excessive braking causing lockup, and lastly, there are many aircraft with tyres exposed to the airstream while in the stowed position, The B737 is an example! ( no undercarridge doors), dont forget , when the aircraft touches down, there is very little weight actually on the tyres until spoilers are deployed
[This message has been edited by Ultralights (edited 17 December 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Ultralights (edited 17 December 2000).]