Thanks yet again to Ross and his team at SAC for passing on this set to IPMS USA and to our leadership for sending it my way!!!

This set is an almost mandatory upgrade (as they all are), targeted for the new Roden C-123 kit. I have been waiting for someone to do this model for a long time; there are several interesting paint schemes and variants, and I remember these crawling around the sky when I was much younger. A “RANCH HAND” spray bar added to this basic kit would make an interesting yet controversial “Agent Orange” display... Roden makes excellent kits, and have really improved recently; the only drawback I have ever experienced is the softer plastic used for these models tends to bow or flex over time on major structural parts like landing gear. And, as I have said almost countless times before, this is where SAC metal landing gear shines!

This SAC set contains two main gear struts, four actuators for the mains, upper and lower nose gear struts and shimmy damper, actuating arms, and a torque link for the nose gear. They are all identical to the kit items, with the exception of having more strength. Even though the nose gear on this aircraft is very short stroked, the replacement by metal is more than warranted.

As you can see, the model was assembled, then the gear installed. No problems noted, except I’m going to have to remove the gear to install the wheels and tires; the clearances will not allow me to just stick them in place on the axles… I will also say you need to pay attention while attaching the main gear struts, as the mounting locations are a bit interesting to figure out.

10 of 10 rating,.. An excellent set which adds that little extra to the basic kit. Well done SAC and thanks again to IPMS USA for the opportunity!