Thanks to SAC for developing a metal gear set for this new kit; and thanks to the IPMS leadership for sending it on!

These SAC reviews may be the proverbial broken record; stronger, metal version of the kit’s gear, “form/fit/function” replacement. Bottom line is the SAC gear improves on the strength of the long kit legs.

Continuing my line of full-build reviews so we could see how the gear actually looks on a final product. This new Zvesda SU-27M is a fantastic bit of engineering; particularly the intakes and exhaust augmentors. Attached is a photo of the turbine section and the flameholder grid - molding technology at its finest. No need for anything extra other than the metal SAC gear. Well, maybe a resin cockpit, but you get the drift. The Zvesda kit looks good out of the box with excellent decals. The plastic is a bit soft, strong enough for the structure, but the landing gear would probably bend over time. I was impressed by this kit from the start; it has no shape issues that I can see, and as a long-time observer of the “Crane” does the actual Sukhoi item justice. I used my own color mix of Vallejo paints for the majority of the kit; the basic blues on this training aircraft looked different, even though I added on a war load.

On to SAC: The main gear is a one-piece gear strut with retraction arms. To these you attach the sway braces and brake lines from the kit. The nose gear includes the foreign object deflector shell which is pretty important given where the intakes are on the aircraft. The side braces are also provided for the nose gear. Drag and extension links are included for all three gear.

The only area needing attention was the construction of the FOD deflector. As it was a two-part item, superglue was used to get everything attached, then Vallejo filler was used to take care of the center seam. When painted it looked like a one-part item. As usual, I used superglue for construction of the gear and attachment to the kit.

Another perfect addition to the SAC line for an already great kit. Thanks again to Ross at SAC and IPMS USA for these review items!