Here’s another fine replacement landing gear set from SAC, this time for the new Kinetic Goshawk. The white metal parts are a spot-on match for the kit gear. In situations where the weight of the model could lead to overstressed and broken gear, these sets are a lifesaver (the life of the model, that is). All relevant parts are there, including both the compressed and extended nose gear struts.

A few of the smaller, thinner pieces in the package I received were slightly bent, but were easily returned to their proper shape. That just shows that care must be taken when handling some of those more delicate thin pieces, but unlike plastic, they are more easily reshaped when necessary before they reach the breaking point.

All told, another very worthy effort from Scale Aircraft Conversions. Thanks to SAC and IPMS for the review sample.

Master Model has produced a replacement nose pitot for the Trumpeter MiG-21 F-13 Fishbed kit. The replacement pitot is a clean drop-in for the kit’s plastic parts. The supplied items include a two-piece main pitot tube of turned stainless and photo etch brass vane fins.

A side-by-side evaluation (see photos) indicates an identical replacement that provides a much more realistic assembly with a significantly improved abuse tolerance. Painting of the main tube should not be necessary, but the fins will need a quick touch with silver or red to transform the brass. Check your references

Scale Aircraft Conversions has produced replacement gear for the Airfix Boeing 727 kit. The white metal replacements are a clean drop-in for the kit’s plastic parts. The supplied items include two main gear struts and braces, and one nose gear strut. Some SAC packages include replacement wheels, as well, but that’s not the case here. You will need to use the Airfix shoes for your build.

A side-by-side evaluation (see photo) indicates an identical replacement that should provide a greater strength of assembly with a significantly improved weight capacity and abuse tolerance. In some cases, painting may not be necessary.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Scale Aircraft Conversions and the IPMS Reviewer Corps for the opportunity to review this item.

Background

Considered by many the best American close air support fighter of the Second World War, the P-47D Thunderbolt was instrumental in the Allied ground campaign in the European Theater of Operations, as well as a key to ensuring air superiority and providing air interdiction in European and Pacific theaters.

The Kit

Hobby Boss steps up with another addition to its fantastic “Easy Assembly” series of 1/72 aircraft kits in the form of the “Razorback” variant of the P-47D. Molded in 3 light gray sprues and solid wing and fuselage segments, a single clear sprue, a small sheet of decals for 2 markings options, and instructions with full color paint and marking guide, the contents of the little box offer a gold mine for modelers of all skill levels.

The June issue features a build of the classic F4U-4 Corsair by HobbyBoss. This six-page article by Brian Wakeman will serve as an excellent reference for anyone wishing to build the F4U-4 early version. Brian’s article details the process he used to build the kit and then to weather the model. The end result is stunning. Brian includes a list of the supplies he used to achieve the spectacular results seen in the images.

Brian’s article is immediately followed by a companion article by James Ashton. James uses the companion kit to HB’s #80386 Corsair, by using HB’s #80387 F4U-4 late. This article also provides a rich and detailed storyline of the build process. James weathered with acrylic over lacquer, separated by a coat of AKI fluid. The end result is a truly spectacular weathered effect. The article, similar to Brian’s, includes a list of materials used and is augmented by images that are rich in detail and superb in quality.