Lynx and Attacker White Metal Undercarriage

Scale Aircraft Conversions
1/32 and 1/48 scales

Reviewed by Brad Fallen

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These two sets from Scale Aircraft Conversions each demonstrate a different example of the advantages white metal undercarriage can offer.

Revell’s 1/32 Westland Lynx family of kits has been well received.  For example, Phil Parsons positively reviewed the Sea Lynx Mk. 88A kit here in 2012, while John ‘Tigger’ Wilkes built the same kit last year in issue 93 of Model Airplane International and had “no hesitation in recommending the model”.  However John also noted the Lynx is a very delicate model (citing numerous breakages during and after his build), an issue compounded by its size of 40cm across and nearly 50cm long.

In these circumstances landing gear failure could be disastrous, which is where SAC’s Lynx undercarriage comes in.  This is a simple set consisting of six parts:  two main gear struts, one nose gear strut, and three oleo scissor links. 

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These are direct replacements for the equivalent kit parts, and should be straightforward to install.

Trumpeter’s Supermarine Attacker was another welcome 2012 release, being the first 1/48 mainstream injection moulded kit of this historic aircraft.  As Brett Green’s model shows, the kit builds up well and looks good when completed.  Unfortunately during his build Brett also identified a number of inaccuracies, including horizontal stabilisers set too low on the fuselage and main undercarriage legs that are both toed-in and raked too far forward.

The undercarriage problem is comprehensively addressed by SAC’s correction set, which replaces all of the Trumpeter kit parts including the gear bays and doors. 

No instructions are included with the SAC set, so I’d recommend studying reference photos to confirm the location of parts before you commit to glue.

It’s worth noting that, because they are cast in white metal, SAC parts can require more cleaning up than their plastic equivalents.  This is certainly the case with the Lynx and Attacker sets, which have noticeable casting seams and a slightly rough texture.  However I think this is a small price to pay in relation to the advantages the sets deliver.

Both of these sets are highly recommended.  The benefits of the Lynx set will not be outwardly apparent, but could extend your model’s life.  The Attacker set remedies the errors of Trumpeter’s kit parts, and will noticeably improve the look of your finished model.

References

Brett Green, ‘Supermarine’s Ugly Duckling’, Military Illustrated Modeller (issue 25, May 2013)

John ‘Tigger’ Wilkes, ‘Sub-Seeking Feline’, Model Airplane International (issue 93, April 2013)

Thanks to Scale Aircraft Conversions for the review samples.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2014 by Brad Fallen
Page Created 16 September, 2014
Last updated 16 September, 2014

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