A retractable landing gear system configured to contour an aircraft fuselage includes a landing wheel having an axle, a wheel rotation strut assembly coupling the landing wheel to the aircraft fuselage and an actuation strut assembly configured to move the wheel rotation strut assembly between various positions including a deployed position and a stowed position. The axle of the landing wheel is pivotably coupled to a distal end of the wheel rotation strut assembly and configured to pivot relative to the wheel rotation strut assembly as the actuation strut assembly moves the wheel rotation strut assembly between the deployed and stowed positions such that the landing wheel generally contours the aircraft fuselage when the wheel rotation strut assembly is in the stowed position.