Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS reviewer corps a set of 1/48^th scale metal landing gear for Arma Hobby’s P-39 Airacobra kits. 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. There are no instructions.

Review Process

The metal landing gear set is used as a drop-in replacement for parts A13, A20, A21, and B66. You will need to use plastic kit parts A33 (nose strut) and B48 (oleo torsion arms) to complete the landing gear assembly.

The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending that may be needed since there is some slight deformation when coming out of the molds. Also, seam lines will need to be cleaned up before painting, just like the plastic kit parts.

For paint, use a good lacquer-based primer coat. This will allow the final color coats a surface to grab onto when applied. Super Glue (CA) should be used to bond the metal parts to the plastic wheel bays. Also, it is recommended to remove any paint at the bonding 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 nicely detailed set to upgrade Arma Hobby’s P-39/P-400 Airacobra kits. They are drop-in replacements and will make your Airacobra more durable with metal landing gear, especially given the steel nose weights provided in the kit.

I want to thank Scale Aircraft Conversions for providing the P-39 Airacobra metal landing gear set and IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to review.

Highly recommended!