Thanks very much to Ross at SAC for providing IPMS USA this review accessory, and to the IPMS Review corps leadership for entrusting me to use it.

Here is the latest in SAC’s line of gear to improve the kits we build. Consisting of two main gear, two retraction arms, two gear braces, and a replacement tail gear, it is a simple set with vastly improved strength.

How do I know this? During my marathon building session over the Columbus Day holiday weekend, I was able to build the Hobbyboss BV 141 kit. And dropped it twice after installing the SAC gear. It stayed on, bent, but was bent back into shape. Resilience personified.

This aircraft is an asymmetrical “odd duck” incorporating the radial engine off an FW-190, along with a side car arrangement (Observer and pilot pod, I guess you would call it) for the crew compartment, along with an offset stabilizer. It was an idea that worked, but not well. Alas, it captured the imagination of the weird crowd, but was not operationally effective. It actually is said to have flown in combat, but I have no other info.

So ends the history lesson. This is just an interesting looking aircraft, almost as big as an HE-111. The SAC gear was incorporated, the build progressed, and the end result is what you see. Direct replacement for the kit parts, and a strong set of legs.

No problems were encountered in installation; painting the beast was the problem, (masking the canopy with Kabuki tape took about 1 ½ hour), but with perseverance I overcame. I added a Squadron resin replacement prop to the mix, as the kit item is a bit plain with little detail. But other than the SAC gear it’s OOB.

Full 10 of 10 to SAC for this gear, you can judge for yourself if you find it worth the time to buy one, but I would. The offset gear is bound to splay over time, and the metal just adds durability. Thanks again to SAC for feeding our AMS beast!