Quickboost provides a very large array of aftermarket detail parts, uniformly outstanding in quality and fidelity to detail and scale. This QB product is just one of several that can be used to detail the Tamiya A-1H kit.

Tamiya provides a rather simple part in their A-1H kit ( # 61058) that represents the Boot Enclosure in its stowed position. The Tamiya part in question is Part A6 which is added to the airframe in step 11 in the Tamiya instructions.

In a side-by-side comparison of part A6 and the QB Boot, the boot has the proper length and width and matches the length of part A6, or that bit of A6 in question. All that is necessary is to clip off the “hood” area of A6 and replace it with the QB part.

In under a minute one can improve the appearance of the cockpit significantly by using this QB product.

Background

Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) produces white metal landing gear for various aircraft models in 1/144^th, 1/72^nd, and 1/48^th scale. Most sets are direct replacements for the kit parts.

The Parts

The Revell F-89D/J has been around since the early 1990s (my boxing has a copyright date of 1992). Revell of Germany has recently re-issued this kit, and no matter which boxing you get, it is a nice model of the F-89D/J. The SAC landing gear for the F-89 are direct replacements for the kit parts. The white metal parts have some mold lines that will need to be cleaned up, but are otherwise is great condition. Due to the nature of the material used, I do feel that some of the finer details of the landing gear are not as crisp as their plastic counterparts. However, after some paint and weathering this should not be an issue.

History

Much has been written about the Gloster Gladiator, and information is available everywhere, so this sketch will be understandably brief. The Gladiator was designed to a 1930 Air Ministry specification, and the prototype first flew in 1934. A development of the Gloster Gauntlet, the Gladiator differed in having more power and an enclosed cockpit, along with other aerodynamic improvements. The initial production order was for 23 aircraft, but eventually a total of 378 Gladiators was built between 1936 and 1937. An improved version, designated Gladiator Mk. II, has a three bladed fixed pitch Fairey-Reed metal prop and detail differences. 270 Mk. II’s were built between 1938 and 1940, when production ended.