Background Notes

This is a white-metal replacement for the Magic Factory A-4M Skyhawk kit and provides all the small details to match those of the kit’s parts, as well as those from the plastic kit itself.

While the Magic Factory’s A-4M kit is a great kit in itself, this aftermarket kit provides two aspects which will aid in completion of the base kit: (1) all of the small details are faithfully replicated in white metal (including expansion marks, collet rings, attachment points for both the rear and front wheels and gear retraction bar) and (2) the added weight provided by the white metal itself adds not only to the strength of the landing gear but more importantly the sheer weight itself of the metal gear parts.

Initial Impressions of the SAC A-4M Conversion

I was initially quite impressed with this kit. The surface detail, which contains a lot of surface rivets, appears to be accurate and true to scale for this a/c.

Construction Notes for the SAC A-4M Conversion

As this is a metal set, the use of glues allows for a couple of options: either Cyanoacrylate (CA) or epoxy adhesives. I recommend the Devcon 5 Minute Epoxy, which allows for several minutes to cure and accepts both lacquer and acrylic paints.

There are only five (5) simple pieces of white metal provided in this small package. I have attached only three images which will illustrate the original packaging, the unfinished or unpainted parts.

You’ll need the Magic Factory A-4M instructions to complete your assembly of the SAC landing gear set. Specifically, you need to refer to instruction panel 17 in its entirety, paying close attention to the placement of parts F1, PE5 (two parts), D8, and E16.

Painting Outline

• Mr. Surfacer 1200 B-515 Surface preparation
• Real Color paints I used:
• RC 222 Insignia White 17875
• Liquid Chrome – Mirror Effect
• 703.102 Abteilung 502
• ABT080 Brown Wash
• VMS Varnish HD top coats Matt

I begin with an overcoat sprayed using Alclad II Lacquer’s Aqua Gloss Clear (#ALC 600). This is my personal favorite, which produces a great, clear finish (though in the bottle it appears cloudy, not to worry).

My painting also included a small amount of pin washes, using 502 Abteilung Brown Wash #ABT080, allowing for details to be highlighted or ‘popping’ out.

And I sprayed my overall final finish using VMS Varnish Matt top coat, which provides a great dull top coat.

Recommendations

Overall, this is a neat, small set of white metal parts, which closely fits the Magic Factory A-4M kit. The sizes are accurate in their dimensions and fit the basic kit. I recommend this Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) landing gear set.

Pros

• Reasonably inexpensive aftermarket set for Scale Aircraft Conversions
• Provides added weight for the tricycle landing gear

Cons

• Depending on your level of accuracy and desire to achieve a near-perfect finish with your nose gear parts, you may wish to sand down the small seam lines (created by the white metal fabrication process).
• Lack of any instructions (kit instructions are to be followed as noted above)