Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white-metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the 1/48 Kinetic Super Etendard.

The set includes 8 parts with the following breakdown: two main landing gear struts; a two part nose wheel, plus actuator arms; and a nose wheel fork. The parts are finely molded in white metal. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts.

I should say that these parts are more than just drop-in replacements. Many of the white metal parts actually are the equivalent to several plastic parts, so you have an easier job of assembling the landing gear, for instance, as you have fewer parts to deal with.

Typically I tend to think of replacing a plastic landing gear with a white metal one when the model is large and heavy. For most single engine 1/48 scale models, weight is not an issue. However, if you have added a resin cockpit, resin engine, and other AMS goodies, weight could be an issue. In the case of this particular model, I had to add “nose ballast”, so it is nice to see the white metal replacement if you are concerned about the long-term effects of the extra weight on the landing gear.

Recommended to modelers of all skill levels.

I would like to thank Scale Aircraft Conversions and IPMS/USA for the review sample.