Scale Aircraft Conversions has released replacement gear for the Hobby Boss 1/48 Northrop YF-23. The supplied items include two main gear legs, two main gear retraction struts, one nose gear leg and one nose gear retraction strut.

This replacement set will provide stronger landing gear that won’t sag over time, and is somewhat adjustable if necessary to obtain proper alignment. Even with zero previous experience in using white metal parts, this set will provide an upgrade that most modelers will have no problem installing. Scale Aircraft Conversions does not use lead in their white metal mix, so the builder does not have to be concerned with that perceived hazard.

There are no supplied instructions; you simply swap out the kit provided plastic parts with the new white metal items.

A side by side evaluation (see photos) shows the difference with the kit parts. Online build reviews of this kit have already noted problems with the kit supplied landing gear strength and attachment. To this point, Ross MacMillan has lengthened the main gear struts to provide a stronger bond to the landing gear well. You can easily see how the main gear leg and strut sits into the main gear well between the Tamiya part and the SAC part. Both the Hobby Boss and the SAC main gear legs fit tight into the main gear well.

The nose gear strut is also slightly longer, but not significantly (Photo 140917_1006). You can easily see how the nose gear leg and strut sits onto the nose gear well between the Hobby Boss part and the SAC part . Neither the Hobby Boss nor the SAC nose gear leg fits snugly into the main gear well so you will need to be very careful with alignment.

Before painting, you may wish to remove and polish the faint seam lines. You can easily depict the bare metal portions of the strut by masking those areas to remain in bare metal. Although most paints will adhere to white metal alone, I would recommend that you prime the parts first. The landing gear will need to be installed with your favorite CA (super glue) or epoxy, as the normal plastic glues or solvents will not react with the white metal.

As always, check your reference photos for alignment.

The SAC pieces fit quite well, and will keep your landing gear from sagging over time..

My thanks to Ross MacMillan, Scale Aircraft Conversions, and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great set of replacement landing gear.