SAC continues their production of replacement landing gear parts for various kits. This set, engineered for the newly tooled 1/72 Airfix Vampire T.11, is a faithful and delicate copy of the kit parts, but undoubtedly stronger. In the photo below the plastic kit parts are on top with the SAC parts below them for comparison.

I was impressed with the thinness of the main gear doors and the smooth surface texture of all the parts. No pits, no holes, and compared with the kit parts, all was true, including the keyed axles. There’s a little bit of flash needing cleanup, but then, that exists on the plastic parts, too. A few swipes with a fine file will take care of it.

Vampire models are notorious tail-sitters and need a fair amount of weight in their small nose cavities, but the SAC nose gear won’t help much in that regard---it’s about the same weight as the kit’s plastic one.

Master Models is one of those companies who have stepped up to deliver what we really need; durable, accurate metal pitot tubes and probes for our fast-mover jets. THANK-YOU VERY MUCH for filling the void!

The only thing I will say is to be careful with them, as they can turn your house into a doctors’ office for injections in little time!

These 3 little (and I mean tiny, miniscule, actually “Scale”) bits are perfect to add to your model. First, they are made of brass, which makes them durable but not “unbendable” like stainless steel or actual needles; they have a bit of “give” when “tweeked”, but return to shape. That means you won’t have the same issues as resin pitot tubes where the cat breathes on the parts and they go flying off into the netherworld!

Second: Where else are you going to find such great metal machine work at a reasonable price? Only with Master Models!

Speed Hunter Graphics is a new decal source and is a division of the well-known and respected Reid Air Publications business. IPMS is very pleased to be able to review the Premiere Decal offerings from Speed Hunter in 1/48th scale, that being the markings for the F-4C and F-4D, reviewed here.

There are two sets of decals for the F-4C and F-4D identified by the item numbers 48001 and 48002.

Set # 1, item # 48001 has markings for a number of aircraft including:

Shameful plug. I love the Quickboost line of products. If I find myself with extra PayPal funds, I will skip through my favorite online retailer’s offering of Quickboost resin goodies and fill my cart with exhausts, engines, cowlings and antennae!

While the set may be designed for Hobbyboss Spiteful, it also will work perfectly in building the Trumpeter Seafang where it became apparent that an exhaust set could greatly benefit this kit. Quickboost to the rescue! The resin replacement is a drop fit for the kit, with a narrow casting block easily removed. Each exhaust stack is molded open, giving the modeler ample chance to enhance the look of it by dry brushing and washes. These detailed exhaust stacks really pop on the finished model.

A very economical and worthwhile replacement set. I greatly recommend this product. Definitely recommended.

Thank you Quickboost and IPMS/USa for the chance to review this item.

History

The first real consideration of making floatplane fighters out of the Spitfire and Hurricane came during the 1940 Norwegian Campaign, and work began on both aircraft at that time. At the end of the campaign, development ended, and the Hurricane project was stopped. Known as the “Narvik Nightmare”, the Spitfire project languished until just before Pearl Harbor, when work was reinstated, this time with the Mk. Vb airframe. This time, instead of Blackburn Roc floats, specially designed Supermarine floats were used, along with additions to the vertical fin to offset the aerodynamic effects of the floats. The result was a highly successful conversion, with excellent flying and water handling characteristics. In fact, it turned out to be the fastest floatplane fighter of World War II.