A-1 Skyraider White Metal Main Gear

[Mike]

A-1 Skyraider White Metal Main Gear

1:48 Scale Aircraft Conversions (for Tamiya)

I've been wanting to try these replacement gearsets for a while now, and the opportunity has arisen courtesy of Hobby Link Japan, who kindly agreed to send me a set to review. I chose this set because I have the kit in my stash, which will make for an easier comparison.

Scale Aircraft Conversions are an American company specialising in white metal replacement gear (for the most part) for popular subjects. Some of their work is a straightforward conversion of kit parts to white metal for strength, while others are updates and upgrades to the originals that include additional detail or corrections to the kit parts.

The Skyraider set is the former, and you might ask "why bother?". Well, if you're planning on loading down your Spad with weapons - particularly if those include resin items - you'll be putting a lot of strain on the kit parts, and we all know that these are often the most likely points to damage your creation when travelling, handling and so on. Conversions can also add a substantial weight to the model, so strong legs can be a bonus.

Enough of the justification. What do they look like? The gear parts are packaged in a card backed blister package as shown above, and it's eminently clear from the labeling what it's for. For your money you get a pair of main gear legs, with the attendant retraction braces, both of course in white metal. The casting is clear, detailed with no mould-slip, so cleanup will be easy. The parts are dimensionally and functionally identical to the kit parts, so installation will be a breeze.

Kit parts on the left, SAC parts on the right

Your only decision is "do I need them?". If you are clumsy prone to accidents, or have a weighty loadout or conversion planned for your Spad, it's a resounding "yes!".

Review sample courtesy of