The usual thanks 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, as usual, a simple SAC upgrade (as they all are), targeted for the new Hasegawa F-35A kit. Among the big three 1/72 F-35 kits that I have now constructed, (Academy, Italeri, and Hasegawa), the Hasegawa kit is by far the simplest. In many ways I like the detail better, particularly the use of decals for the external RAM panels. No external stores or open weapon bays… this one is the clean, closed up and stealthy model. The cockpit itself contains an excellent crewmember figure if you choose to use it (I did).

The SAC set contains two main gear struts, four actuators, a nose gear strut, and the forward actuating arm and torque link. They are all identical to the kit items, with the exception of having more strength. Although the Hasegawa plastic is usually a bit harder (read “Stronger”) than the competitors, it is still a good idea to have metal gear, particularly with the offset strut arm for the nose strut.

As you can see, the model was assembled, then the gear installed. No problems noted, and I now have an F-35 with gear to match most things I can throw at it (such as moving between offices, office workers who like to play sky pilot, etc… )

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