Thank you to Bert Kinzey and Rock Roszak for bringing back a tremendous resource for the modeler, this time in digital format. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to test out this new and exciting method of researching history, details, versions and markings of the Douglas SBD scout/dive bomber.

Once again, extreme appreciation and thanks to Ross at SAC for sending us another of your expansive line of metal landing gear, and thanks also to IPMS USA leadership for sending it to me.

And a special note on SAC customer service: Ross’ manufacturing team noted they had some “short shots” on their nose gear, whereby the axle itself was missing on one side. Ross offers a replacement to anyone who purchased the set with this minor defect, free of charge. GREAT service! This review set was one of those, and I noted it only when I opened the package…

The Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun is a German single-engine sport and touring aircraft developed by Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (Bavarian Aircraft Works) in the 1930s. The Bf 108 is of all-metal construction.

Originally designated the M 37, the aircraft was designed as a four-seat sports/recreation aircraft for competition in the 4th Challenge International de Tourisme (1934). The M 37 prototype flew first in spring 1934 powered by a 250 PS (247 hp, 184 kW) Hirth HM 8U inverted-V engine, which drove a three-blade propeller. Although it was outperformed by several other aircraft in the competition, the M 37's overall performance marked it as a popular choice for record flights. Particular among these traits was its extremely low fuel consumption rate, good handling, and superb takeoff and landing characteristics.

Scale Aircraft Conversions is known for making replacement landing gear for a wide variety of kits in virtually every scale in which model aircraft are available. This set is designed to replace the plastic gear in the Academy F-35A kit. The packaging says it’s for F-35A/B, but Academy doesn’t do an F-35B yet. The only F-35B kit in 1/72 that I know of currently is the Fujimi kit and these landing gear are a bit shorter and less beefy than the ones in that kit. Perhaps the guys at SAC know something we don’t.

The set includes both main gear legs and the nose gear with their separate retraction struts. The struts are very sturdy and are made to be drop-in replacements for the kit parts. The parts require very little clean up, though some parts do occasionally become a bit bent during shipping. No worries there, though, since they are very easily straightened. Recommended, especially if you want landing gear that are sturdier than the kit ones.

This photoetched sheet provides a lot of detailed parts for the interior of the Airfix F4F-4 Wildcat kit. A total of 18 parts are provided on a sheet measuring about 2 inches by 1 ½ inches, which should tell you that some of the parts are extremely small. An instrument panel, metal pilot’s seat, and side panel details are included. In addition, some details are provided for the aircraft’s firewall, which can be seen behind the landing gear structure. There is a lot included here, and these will add to the detail if you are trying to super-detail the cockpit. Very detailed instructions are provided, which tell what parts to remove and replace with the PE parts. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully.

Recommendations

This set is highly recommended for adding additional detail to the cockpit of your Airfix F4F-4. It would also be useful in adding details to other F4F kits.