Master Model is an aftermarket supplier that offers modelers exceptional miniature turned metal parts to add detail to their models. These sets generally are available for builders in all popular scales. This set (AM-48-095) provides parts to assemble highly detailed 1:48 scale Hispano 20mm cannon with uncovered barrels for the Fairey Firefly.

The parts may be used to replace the injection molded ones in the Special Hobby kits without significant surgery. The kits have holes on the wings’ leading edge so it is likely the Master-Model barrels will literally drop in place. (Although the size of the holes may need to be increased to 1.5mm diameter to accept the small extension on the end of the fairings). Note that two types of fairings are provided in the set.

Wow! If packaging was what it was all about this would be the premier. Not only are all 6 sides emblazoned with super cool pictures, even the inside leaves of the bottom are covered in Crash, Boink, Biffs, and Pows!

Inside the box you'll find 3 black sprues, 2 clear sprues, a sprue of chrome plated parts, decals, instructions, and a pamphlet. The total parts count is 112 pieces for the vehicle and 6 parts for the dynamic duo. All are flash free and well molded. The tri-fold instruction sheet consists of a color guide, 9 assembly drawings, a decal guide, and a separate step at the end for the figures.

Brengun is a fairly new company in Brno, Czechoslovakia. They make resin and photoetch kits in various scales. They have some VERY interesting kits and PE detail sets. I recently reviewed their 1/72 shopping cart. It’s got to be part of a street diorama, as soon as I find a 1/72 young lady to go with it.

The Aircraft

In the late 1920s - early 1930s France was very much taken with aviation. If it flew, a lot of people were fans. Henri Mignet decided that he wanted to design and build an airplane that everyone could fly and almost anyone could afford to own. The concept was a “Model T of the Air”. Because the ubiquitous Ford Model T was called “Pou de la Route”, which translated to “Louse of the Road”, his aircraft became the Pou du Ciel, or “Louse of the Air”. The common English translation became “Flying Flea”.

Scale Aircraft Conversions is marking their Silver Anniversary this year, with twenty-five years of supplying resin and white metal parts to model builders. This is the fifth landing gear set from SAC that I have reviewed, and once again, they have provided an excellent metal option for kit-supplied landing gear. This set is intended for the 1/32 scale F4F Wildcat that was released by Trumpeter in 2002. The purpose of this replacement set is to provide stronger landing gear that is adjustable if necessary to obtain proper angles. Even with no previous experience in using white metal parts, this set will provide an upgrade that most modelers will have no issue installing.

Scale Aircraft Conversions, or SAC, make replacement landing gear for a wide variety of aircraft, in all the major scales. They are cast in white metal, which is stronger than the kit’s plastic pieces. To quote the company’s website, “Some sets consist of the main gear only while others include the nose gear, tail gear and/or adjacent related components. Some inaccuracies in the original kit gear have been corrected but the mounting points remain identical to the factory parts.”