Scale Aircraft Conversions has developed a set of metal landing gear for the relatively new Airfix 1/72 B-24s. Airfix first released the B-24 H in 2024 and followed by the B-24D in 2025. The kit parts are stout but these metal replacements provide the opportunity for final adjustments and alignment of the gear and wheels. Airfix have addressed the shortcomings of previous B-24 designs by improving the front gear and arranging for solid mounting with 3 contact points. The old Minicraft and Academy kits have only one contact point and the Hasegawa only two. I have included photos of the parts without primer but this is only for clarity and to make it easier to differentiate the SAC gear from the necessary plastic parts. The casting blocks will need to be carefully clipped off and mold part lines cleaned up. Also test fit and adjust for the wheels you intend to use since this can be very awkward after the gear parts are mounted to the kit.

Background Notes

This is a white-metal replacement for the Magic Factory A-4M Skyhawk kit and provides all the small details to match those of the kit’s parts, as well as those from the plastic kit itself.

While the Magic Factory’s A-4M kit is a great kit in itself, this aftermarket kit provides two aspects which will aid in completion of the base kit: (1) all of the small details are faithfully replicated in white metal (including expansion marks, collet rings, attachment points for both the rear and front wheels and gear retraction bar) and (2) the added weight provided by the white metal itself adds not only to the strength of the landing gear but more importantly the sheer weight itself of the metal gear parts.

Initial Impressions of the SAC A-4M Conversion

I was initially quite impressed with this kit. The surface detail, which contains a lot of surface rivets, appears to be accurate and true to scale for this a/c.

I guess the most important thing to keep in mind about this review item is that it is designed and fitted for the 20 plus year old 1/48 Mauve/Eduard kit and the similarly aged Academy P-40N/M. This aftermarket set is not intended for the new 2025 Eduard P-40 N and possibly forthcoming M.

Arma Hobby is offering a great little accessory for anyone looking to create a WWII/Korea US airfield diorama, or even just a nice base for your 1/72 aircraft model.

This small base is nicely packaged in and a stiff cardboard envelope, somewhat reminiscent of “Apple style” clean design. The resin base appears to be 3-D printed and has extremely crisp detail. No flash or any attachment points to trim away, it is ready to paint and prime right out of the box (envelope). No instructions or paint diagram of any kind are included. But a neat little feature is a QR code that links to free 3D printer files for a group of airfield accessories such as fuel drums, wheel chocks, a fire extinguisher, and a few other goodies. Not having a 3D printer, I was not able to test these out, but it certainly is a nice little bonus!

Yahu Models is a Polish producer making 3D photoetch replacement panels and parts for all sizes and types of models. In this instance, this is a instrument panel parts for the HK Model 1/32 A-20G Late configuration. The contents include a small card with a pictorial representation of the instructions and how to place and bend the parts. Also included are three colored, three dimensional photoetch frets and one clear set of dials for the instruments. The photoetch frets are amazing. If you scan them and zoom in, you can read the writing perfectly which in 1/32^nd scale is awesome. I have included some scans from the kit showing location of the majority of the parts.