To start, I’d like to thank Mike West at Lone Star Models. I told him I was reviewing a C-47 kit for the IPMS/USA and wanted to use one of his Arctic ski sets on the model. He had it to me in two weeks, which is a really great delivery time for someone who makes his products “to order.” I also must say thanks to the IPMS/USA leadership for allowing me to present a review of this item.

This R4D/Arctic C-47 Conversion from Lone Star Models was used on my review of the Revell reissue of the Monogram 1/48 scale C-47. I have long wanted to build an Arctic C-47, and when I received the box I was pleasantly surprised to note a USAF version in the kit.

Kitty Hawk’s 1/48 scale Jas-39 Gripen is a detailed, well-executed kit. It does require skill to assemble, and many of the details are simplified for various reasons. This is where Aires Hobby Models has stepped in to provide some added detail.

This particular Aries resin set provides an upgrade to the Gripen’s speed brakes. Aires provides two fully-detailed brake wells and two speed brakes with fine, accurate rivet and internal bracing detail. The bays have no actuators or tubing to install, but have better detail featuring light riveting and embossed bits. They brakes and wells are truly drop-fit replacement items for the kit parts; the fit was excellent!

Thanks to Aires for providing this set for review. Your continued support is more than valued, and we appreciate it. Thanks once again to the IPMS/USA leadership for allowing me to review such a cool accessory!

This is another of SAC’s drop-in replacement landing gear sets. It is meant for the Revell 1/72 scale Airbus A400M Grizzly kit. As you can see from the pictures, they’re a direct replacement for the kit parts. With the A400M being such a large aircraft, the extra support of the metal landing gear could be vital over time.

There are a lot of parts in this set, with basically six of everything except the nose gear parts. There are gear struts, strut braces, and wheel hub/axles for the mains, plus the main gear, V-strut, and retraction strut for the nose gear.

The detail on the parts is sharp and should paint up very nicely. The parts require minor cleanup of mold seams, easily done with a knife blade. Some small parts may have been slightly bent during shipping but they are easily straightened. This set is certainly recommended.

Thanks go to Scale Aircraft Conversions for the landing gear set and to IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it.