Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) has provided the IPMS Reviewer Corps with a set of 1/48 scale metal landing gear for Hobby Boss’s Su-17M4 Fitter-K, which will also fit on the Su-17UM3 Fitter-G. These parts are drop-in replacements and provide a more robust landing gear set given its metal properties.

The metal pieces are packaged in a clear blister package with cardboard backing, and no instructions are provided. The metal landing gear set is used as drop-in replacements for parts C2, D12, D13, D32 (nose wheel), E20 & E2 (LHS MLG), and E21 & E1 (RHS MLG) for the Hobby Boss kits. The metal used is malleable and has some give to allow for any minor bending if needed. Seam lines will need to be cleaned up prior to painting, just like the plastic kit parts.

For painting, I recommend using a good lacquer-based primer coat as this will allow the final color coats a surface to grab onto when applied. Super Glue (CA) or a 2-part epoxy should be used to bond the metal parts to the kit plastic. It is recommended to remove any paint at the attachment points as 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 nice detail set to upgrade Hobby Boss’s Su-17 Fitter kits. They are drop-in replacements and will make your model more durable with metal landing gear, especially under the wings.

I want to thank Scale Aircraft Conversions for providing the Su-17M4 Fitter-K metal landing gear set and IPMS-USA for allowing me the opportunity to review it.

Highly recommended!