My thoughts -
I think the gear toe orientation is a result of gravity - the heavier end hangs down . Demonstrated by the fact that most gear hang the same orientation during gravity extension w/o the help of any hydraulics. *since shown to be wrong
The amount of torque on the assembly should be about the same during a crabbed landing regardless of gear toe up or down - a free body diagram should show about the same amount of restoring force around the cg of the aircraft. In fact the torque should be slightly less in the toe down case due to the fact that the contact point is slightly closer to the cg - so shorter moment arm.
Standing by to be happily corrected!
Last edited by mrfox; 10th November 2017 at 02:28.