SAC continues its prolific output of metal gear designed to support our increasingly resin-filled, detail enhanced large models; thanks for passing on this set to IPMS USA and to our leadership in forwarding it out for review!

This SAC set contains two main gear struts, strut extension braces, torque links, a tail wheel fork, the tail wheel oleo extension strut, and the tail wheel mounting trunnion tube. These are all identical to the kit items, with the exception of having more strength.

AND, the main gear strut on the SAC parts is assembled with the mounting trunnions in place; all total, 3 Airfix kit items replaced per strut with one item. Unity = Strong!

On the Airfix Typhoon kit, you must plan ahead; it is a complex kit, and there are some areas where confusion could exist as to which way certain parts go (such as the main wing spar with all it’s bracing and holes for other parts to fit into). I GOT IT WRONG at least twice, and the plastic Airfix uses is unforgiving once welded together.

Note: You CANNOT just install the main gear after the model is assembled; The kit parts fit together like a Jenga ® game stack, and I found out after the fact that the main gear mounts need to be installed when building the model, not after as is my normal custom. Confession delivered.

This is because the model’s trunnion and pivot assembly for the main gear is integrated into the wing spar lattice. On the plastic kit parts, the trunnion is installed early, but the main gear is installed later. This prevents the usual destruction of main gear parts while moving the model around during assembly. The SAC gear, while improving this situation by incorporating the trunnion and strut assemblies into one strong casting, will therefore be sticking out of the wing during much of the assembly. This is ok as the gear is very strong. I, however, missed the fact you can’t slip the trunnion into the model after the wing is assembled… and had to cut some of the SAC metal pivot arms off to slip the trunnion into the spar, and use superglue to hold it in place. You are now forewarned…

The tail wheel has a similar situation; the strut mounting tube needs to be installed before the fuselage halves are offered up. As SAC provides this item in metal, it can’t be installed correctly afterward. I ended up mounting the SAC tailwheel to the kit provided plastic trunnion tube. Again, forewarned…

At the end of the day, you end up with magnificent, strong SAC gear on your Typhoon… This kit is big enough to be a micro-RC model except for it’s weight… and the SAC gear ensures the model is ready for display handling.

Full marks once again to SAC,.. An excellent set which adds extra to the basic kit. Well done SAC and thanks again to IPMS USA for the opportunity!