Scale Aircraft Conversions is a name well known for their replacement white metal landing gear for many different scales and kits. This set provides replacement for the Modelsvit 1/48 XP-55. Besides the landing gear you are also given a white metal nosewheel gear bay roof which will no doubt aide in preventing the model from tail sitting or at least reduce the amount of added nose weight required.

These are drop fit replacements for the kit plastic landing gear and are also stronger.

I have used many of these sets on my tricycle landing gear builds. The extra strength of these is extremely helpful especially when a large amount of nose weight is required. They are always well molded and easy to use. CA glue is required, and I have used every type of model paint from acrylics to lacquer with no problems.

The book was originally printed in German and published by Vaerlagshaus Wurzburg GmbH & Co. in 1977. There was a revised edition in 2009 and this new edition published, and I suspect translated by Greenhill Books. The book is divided into 10 chapters and starting with the formation of the unit in 1940 and it ends with their last battle in South-Eastern Front in 1944-45.

I was impressed by the numerous photos in the book. You will find candid shots, action shots as well as the different equipment used by the unit. The book is basically a unit story and takes you through the many battles in which the unit was involved from its formation to its end. It will, also introduce you to some of their personnel and awards.

The book reads like a “unit story” and that is what its basically is; throughout the book you are introduced to the unit challenges during the battle and the outcome of those battles and many of the members of the unit.

Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the Hasegawa (reboxed by Revell as well) 1/48 Hurricane. This set applies to the whole line of Hurricanes: Mk.I, Ia, II, IIB/C/D and IV.

The set is including a total 5 parts covering the main landing gear struts and tail wheel. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts.

Considering that the Hurricane is a medium size model -in 1/48- I don’t think the reason to get a metal landing gear is due to the weight (unless you add a lot of resin to it) but rather the reason to get the set might be to be able to ‘tweak’ the landing gear strut for an improved alignment of the parts to achieve a proper stance.

You can see from the pictures the parts are very cleanly molded and formed, without barely visible molding lines, which can be removed just a few passes with a metal file.

Pierpaolo Maglio is a great modeler whose work can be found on line but for the those that don’t know, he is also a published author and his latest book is what this review is about, a brief history of the Italian 102nd Squadron.

A look at the index shows the history starting in 1942:

This is a very thin book with only 24 pages, but they are very high quality, outline drawing, full of profile pictures, and detailed Photographs of the Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC.

The first 5 pages are dedicated to scaled outline drawings in both 1/72 and 1/48 scales, idea for most scale modelers to use.

The following three pages cover full aircraft shots in action.

Then the next 11 pages are what makes this book really worth buying which is the details pictures and drawings giving some super views for model references.

The last four pages cover a full color drawing of the instrument panel and aircraft profile pictures.

I will be using this book for a upcoming build of a 1/72 Hurricane and it will provide all the detail references I will need. This is a fantastic thin and inexpensive reference for all to use.

I recommend this book to everyone who likes and or builds Phantom’s