Once again, IPMS/USA expresses our thanks to Ross at Scale Aircraft Conversions for providing one of his metal gear sets to use and review! This is a basic metal upgrade for Kotare’s magnificent Bf-109K. What does the SAC gear bring to the fight? Two main gears with the torque links installed, and the extended stroke tail wheel assembly. Three parts guaranteed to take care of your investment in Kotare’s excellent work.

The Kotare design allows you to install the gear at the end of your build, which is a perfect solution, and the metal gear will add resilience in case of shelf rash. This set is well worth the extra bit of cash to enhance your model!

AOA Decals has provided the IPMS/USA Review Corps with a wonderful decal set for Vietnam War-era markings for the US Marine Corps F-4B/F-4J Phantom. This is part one of a two-part set you can purchase from AOA Decals for the Phantom (72-014 & 72-015).

This 1/72 decal sheet covers six USMC F-4 Phantom squadrons during the Vietnam War:

For us, geriatric modelers fixed on detailing some of the venerable kits of our youth, Scale Aircraft Conversions can be exceedingly useful in a number of circumstances. For many, this may be as simple as replacing fragile styrene components with sturdier metal items. In other cases, some extra features are added.

The set for the Hawker Typhoon Mk. 1b of classic Revell fame is a good example. This pack features both main landing gear legs as well as the tailwheel fork, replacement radio mast, and a nice set of 20mm Hispano-Suiza cannons without the early shrouds. In terms of modifications, the two-part tail wheel fork has been rendered into a single piece, and the shroudless cannons are a very nice alternative to the kit items. I’d been thinking of attempting this modest conversion myself anyway, but these eliminated the need for scratch-building.

This is the second in a six-volume history of air-to-air missiles (AAM). In the first volume (see my review on this website), the author Bill Norton laid down the basic terminology and operating concepts used in designing and employing these weapons. In this second volume, He begins a generational examination of the weapons by their countries of origin. The book is divided into three sections. In the first, the efforts of Germany, Great Britain, and the United States during the latter part of WWII are covered. Although no guided AAM was fielded before the war ended, their progress in propulsion and guidance systems laid the groundwork for what would happen in the post war period. Germany certainly got close with their X-4 missile, guided by wire controls that trailed the missile after launch.

This is a simple metal upgrade for Hasegawa’s early 1980’s/90’s release 1/32 radial-engine FW-190 kits, and their “Dora FW-190 kit." Out of the box, it’s a great and easy kit for almost anyone to make a decent Wulf… but this SAC gear adds the additional “peace of mind” when dealing with the long legs and (as on many plastic kits) “always waiting to be broken off” tail gear.

It’s an easy one-for-one replacement to install this gear, and the cool part is it can all be installed at the end of the build if desired. I show the model with the gear in place before painting the project, as this gear lends itself to such shenanigans…. Just like an Armor kit!