The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) was a heavy fighter built in later World War II. It was a unique twin engine design with its push-pull configuration and the lower aerodynamic drag of the in-line alignment of the two engines, and it was considered one of the fastest piston-engined aircraft ever flown.

Sources differ, but only 37 to 48 Do 335s were built and none were known to have flown in combat. The Do 335B-2 was to be a heavily armed Zerstorer (destroyer) with its main feature being two wing mounted 30 mm Mk 103 cannons contained in special fairings with 70 rounds per gun in addition to the normal engine mounted Mk 103 and two 20 mm MG 151/20s in the nose cowl. Due to the increased weight, the B series also standardized on larger tires which required the nose wheel to rotate 45^o for stowage during retraction, and an armored windscreen. Less than five Do 335B-2s were in production at the end of the war.

Scale Aircraft Conversion has produced its famous white metal landing gear for the Do 335 in 1/48 scale. As aircraft modelers well know, aircraft models displayed on their landing gear are susceptible to damage from the weight of the model, especially on styrene landing gear.

Scale Aircraft Conversion has had the solution since 1990. Their white metal landing gear is designed to bear the weight of the model and complement the detailed non-load bearing plastic parts. Their extensive range covers white metal landing gear from 1/144 to 1/18 scale aircraft.

The Scale Aircraft Conversions Dornier Do 335B-2 Landing Gear (Tamiya Kit No. 61088), Stock Number 48495, consists of five items in their distinctive plastic bubble and cardboard packaging consisting of the main landing gear and front tricycle-gear wheel. Scale Aircraft Conversions notes that this is unique from their A-variant set with different nose gear (SAC 48103 for the Do 335A/A-12). The difference is a trapezoidal strut that reinforces the front leading gear to assist with the added weight of the increased armament. These are swap, replace and drop in holes with glue parts - it is that easy.

As you can see from the photos, the white metal parts are complete replacements, are very sturdy, and hold up well compared to their plastic kit counterparts.

This is value for your well-earned money, especially as you don’t have to worry about the heavy plastic weight causing landing gear failure after the unique and sturdy-looking Dornier Do 335B-2 is sitting on its wheels.

Profuse thanks to Scale Aircraft Conversions and IPMS/USA for providing the review sample.