This book covers 11 different Cold War aircraft; many of which were built and flown but never went into production. All but one aircraft has its own chapter. The book has a striking cover with a very well done fake photo of a production F-108 Rapier approaching a tanker to refuel. This is only a hint of what is to come!

Chapter one discusses the Northrop B-49A and RB-49A. It begins with the development of the flying wing by Northrop and the predecessor of the B-49, the propeller-powered B-35. This continues through development and testing and the reasons for canceling the B-49. The chapter is filled with many wonderful digital prints of B-49s as they would have looked in service. Three that show B-49Ds in Southeast Asia markings still serving beyond the 1960s and RAF examples give the “what-if” modelers many ideas.

The Skyraider was a part of the war in Southeast Asia from the start and soldiered on until the war ended in 1975. This volume looks at Skyraiders operated by US pilots in Vietnamese markings, as well as those operated by both USAF and Vietnamese pilots. From the early days when the US was extremely secretive about it’s involvement until the end, the Skyraider was there.

Scale Aircraft Conversions is a maker of metal landing gear to replace kit parts. This landing gear set is for the Hasegawa 1/48th SH-3 Sea King. Included in the set you get two main landing gear struts, two retraction actuators, two torque links (scissors), and the tail wheel.

After comparing the kit parts to SAC’s parts this is what I have come up with. SAC’s gear will give your model a firm base to sit on. However, there are also some shortcomings. The SAC gear appears to be a tad bit smaller (see the photos below). This may not be an issue because who can say that the kit gear is correct? One area that will be an issue is the retraction actuators. As you can see in the kit and SAC comparison photo, the SAC actuator is just short of contacting the gear strut.