This set is designed to provide replacement parts for Zvezda’s Pe-8 bomber kit. The package includes two complete sets of main gear struts and actuators and a new single-piece casting of the tailwheel fork assembly.

As with most of SAC’s landing gear sets, the metal main gear struts and actuator parts are intended to be one-for-one replacements for the kit parts. The parts are well cast, however, in my sample, one of the strut assemblies that hold the main gear wheels was misaligned (see photo), fortunately, as the white metal is easily manipulated, I was able to straighten it up with no issues.

SAC elected to cast the tailwheel fork as a single piece rather than as two parts as Zvezda did. I think this was a great decision as it eliminates the joint where the two kit parts meet, which could become a weak point over time.

The parts will need just a little clean-up of the casting seams with a sharp Xacto blade, followed by a polishing with a wire wheel and then a primer coat of paint - I prefer an enamel base paint or primer for this step as they tend to have a better bite/grip on the metal parts and do not chip or flake off as easily.

As the Pe-8 is a large aircraft and there is a lot of plastic in Zvezda’s kit, I think this set will be a good addition as the metal struts will hold up better than the plastic kit parts.

Recommended.

Thank you to Scale Aircraft Conversions for the review sample.