Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps with a set of 1/48^th scale metal landing gear for Trumpeter’s HU-16A Albatross. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties.

In the Package

The metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing. No instructions are provided.

Review Process

The metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for the kit parts as noted

• Nose Gear: G12, G19 and G16 (also Metal Nose Strut parts A & B)
• RHS Gear: J19, J26, and K11 (also Metal Right Strut)
• LHS Gear: J16, J21, and K27 (also Metal Left Strut)

Note: The Trumpeter kit does provide some metal landing struts as optional parts for the builder. However, SAC does provide more replacement parts in this set.

The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending if needed. Also, seam lines will need to be cleaned up prior to painting just like the plastic kit parts.

For paints, use a good lacquer-based primer coat. This will allow the final color coat a surface to grab onto when applied. Super Glue (CA) or a 2-part epoxy should be used to bond the metal parts to the plastic. Also, it is recommended to remove any paint at the attachment points. This will allow a stronger bond since there is no paint to break away from the surface of the plastic or metal.

Conclusions

Overall, this is a nice detail set to upgrade Trumpeter’s HU-16A Albatross kit. They are drop-in replacements and will make your model more durable with metal landing gear.

I want to thank Scale Aircraft Conversions for providing the HU-16A Albatross metal landing gear set and IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to review.

Highly recommended!