Scale Aircraft Conversions 1/32 A-4 Skyhawk Landing Gear First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Scale Aircraft Conversions (SAC) produces an impressive array of white metal replacement landing gear for a variety of models. Some of these sets correct different issues that appeared in production kits, while others are simple common sense replacements to have stronger landing gear on your model.

This release is one of nearly 30 landing gear sets available in 1/32 scale and is targeted for the Hasegawa 1/32 A-4 Skyhawk kits. The set provides a white metal set of gear struts that are drop-in replacements for the kit parts. These white metal castings will provide stronger 'legs' for the Hasegawa kits, with the nose gear strut being the most delicate of the lot. In this example, it appears that the nosewheel fork may have come off of the strut, but a simple fine drill bit in your pin vise will allow a short brass rod to pin the fork back into place and even to pose the nosegear castered at an angle and the aircraft maneuvers on the deck. Separate castings are also provided for the brake and hydraulic accumulators.

One nice aspect of aftermarket landing gear like these from SAC is that you can make the change anytime, even after the kit's gear buckles for whatever reason. Unlike an aftermarket cockpit or other details that need to be incorporated during construction, you can easily extract the old styrene gear and plug in these replacements once you've got them primed and painted. Of course you can plan ahead and use them during your build-up and avoid the problems in the first place.

You can obtain SAC landing gear from your favorite hobby retailer or online hobby shop. If your retailer can't get these for you and you can't this set at your favorite online retailer, then you can get quick service from Scale Aircraft Conversions directly.

My sincere thanks to Scale Aircraft Conversions for this review sample!