Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps a set of 1/48^th scale metal landing gear for Arma Hobby’s P-39 Airacobra kits. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties.

In The Package

The metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. There are no instructions.

Review Process

The metal landing gear set is used as a drop-in replacement for parts A13, A20, A21, and B66. You will need to use plastic kit parts A33 (nose strut) and B48 (oleo torsion arms) to complete the landing gear assembly.

The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending that may be needed since there is some slight deformation when coming out of the molds. Also, seam lines will need to be cleaned up before painting, just like the plastic kit parts.

Another offering in the Asia @ War Series.

A very interesting book. We see the Korean Air War through the eyes of Soviet Aviators sent to get combat experience in jet fighters. The first couple of pages were rough. I felt like I was reading a 1980’s era Soviet Propaganda piece. The authors quickly left that track and started a very good overview of the events leading up to Russia’s involvement, and an unknown (to me) discussion on China warning the United States prior to entering the war.

The B-29’s were initially engaged by prop-driven aircraft and were able to successfully defend themselves. This led to over confidence on the part of the Air Force leadership, and a belief that the bombers could defend themselves from fighters.