The normal thanks to Ross at SAC and his working crew for developing and producing an excellent metal set to replace the kit items, and IPMS USA for providing it to me to use!

Once again the jackpot is hit with another SAC gear replacement set. For the unaware, the Italeri 1/32 F-35A is a rather weighty model, and the kit gear is provided in multiple parts, all plastic. SAC does a few modifications such as incorporating the kit side braces into the main gear and nose gear, and molding them in one part each. With 13 total metal parts, including drag braces and extensions, shimmy damper and steering pump, this set makes a simple kit addition. This, when installed and combined with the trunnions and drag braces, makes a sturdy arrangement.

The other thing: once again the actual aircraft has an offset half-fork nose gear, which will not survive construction, much less sitting on a shelf for any length of time. The SAC gear handles this all with a shrug. Let me explain.

The kit can mostly be assembled without the gear. I needed the gear to keep the model off the small work surface, in addition to providing me a chance to get everything ready as I was building in a hotel room. Not only did the gear provide protection for the open weapons bay doors, but also saved the model when I dropped it during construction.

The nose gear was slightly bent, and the mains were fine. Bend it all back, and done. Try that with your plastic gear and we’ll wait for the screaming to abate.

The SAC package contains nose gear hydraulics, torque links, and brake lines for all the required areas. It handled the storm well. Paint everything with white primer flat, then Duplicolor gloss white lacquer. Allow to dry, then insert into the sockets and pockets. Superglue and have a strong assembly.

Not much I can add here; I’m still a SAC convert. Check the pictures then use them. Full marks as usual, and second round of applause for IPMS passing the set to me!