Scale Aircraft Conversions has released replacement gear for the Tamiya 1/48 scale A6M Zero kits that were tooled in 2008. The supplied items include two main gear struts, and one tail gear strut with integrally molded wheel. (Photos 1004, 1005, 1009)

This replacement set will provide stronger landing gear that won’t sag over time, and is somewhat adjustable if necessary to obtain proper alignment. Indeed, make sure that you adjust the gear parts to align with the Tamiya parts before using as they can be slightly bent in their packaging. Even with zero previous experience in using white metal parts, this set will provide an upgrade that most modelers will have no problem installing. Scale Aircraft Conversions does not use lead in their white metal mix, so the builder does not have to be concerned with that perceived hazard.

There are no supplied instructions; you simply swap out the kit provided plastic parts with the new white metal items.

The Scale Aircraft Conversions tail gear does include a nub on the forward end of the assembly (Photo 1014) that I ending up removing after reviewing online photos of the actual landing gear assembly (Photo 1019). You can easily see how the tail gear fits into the fuselage between the Tamiya part and the SAC part (Photos 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018). You will need to be very careful when painting either the Tamiya or the SAC tail gear as the gap between the wheel and the strut fairing is very thin and could easily be filled with paint.

The Scale Aircraft Conversions main gear is very close to being an identical replacement (Photo 1009). The Tamiya main gear strut’s fit into the main wheel well is extremely tight. The SAC main gear strut fits well, but does have a bit of movement in the gear well (Photo 1020). I would recommend using a slow setting CA glue to assure proper alignment. Both main gears fit very well to the Tamiya main landing gear doors (Photos 1021, 1022).

Before painting, you may wish to remove and polish the faint seam lines. You can easily depict the bare metal portions of the strut by masking those areas to remain in bare metal. Although most paints will adhere to white metal alone, I would recommend that you prime the parts first. Due to the tight tolerances in the Tamiya kit, I would recommend masking the strut attachment points off to minimize any paint interference with their corresponding parts (This is true even if you don’t use the SAC replacement gear). The landing gear will need to be installed with your favorite CA (super glue) or epoxy, as the normal plastic glues or solvents will not react with the white metal.

As always, check your reference photos for alignment.

My thanks to Ross MacMillan, Scale Aircraft Conversions, and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great set of replacement landing gear.

Highly recommended!