A note regarding the finer details of the KLG line...

One of the benefits of the Kazan Landing Gear (KLG) line is its level of detail, and to make that level attainable by the end user, the engineering that goes into these sets. The components of the sets that require gluing are resin, and so we are essentially limited to cyanoacrylate (CA) glues. The fine detail and size of the parts further limits us to using the thin variety, which cures instantly. That's why it has been marketed as 'instant glue'. Using anything thicker increases the possibility of creating a bit of a 'mess', killing the detail benefit. Some of the finest details involve the torque links, and that's where the engineering comes in. They are designed to fit onto their attachment points and hold in place (and correct position) to allow you to get close enough to apply a drop of the CA. Using the thin stuff allows capillary action to suck the glue into every nook and cranny without obscuring the fine detail, and pretty much eliminating the likelihood of you gluing your fingers to the landing gear set. 

This is particularly beneficial with the Spitfire gears, because they are small. The links have small, angled holes thatt correspond to pegs in the main strut. The intent is that they are held between your thumb and index finger, and unless you apply way too much pressure, the assembly maintains its correct orientation. Then, an application of a drop of the CA takes over, and you are left with a clean assembly that complements, and is complemented by, the look of the metal oleo piston.

​The idea is the same with the F6F Hellcat gears. Here, the biggest issue with the torque links is that they need to be cleaned up a little as they are removed from their casting block. There is a slight bit of flash around the ends of the links that allows these ends to come out of the mould without breaking. Cleanup is easy with a new knife blade. 

The placement procedure is similar to that of the Spitfire set, though in either case, there is no reason not to use Microscale's Liquitape to hold the torque links in place. 

A reminder of the metal oleo pistons. These don't need to be masked. Primer, paint and clear coats can be easily scraped away with your x-acto knife, and scuffing the piston would require serious intent on your part to do so. The legs are actually not that fragile.

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The F-14 gears are extremely detailed and go together very well. Being F-14 legs, they have quite a few more parts, but the same level of engineering has been applied across the board. The parts count includes the retraction struts of the main gear in both locked and unlocked options, and both options include the metal retraction piston. It also includes printed parts for the sway braces of the front gear, as these just could not be cast to any satisfactory degree. We made the decision to provide this (if you look at the instruction link on the set's product page, it is Part 29) as a single unit to ensure left/right symmetry, but that made casting in resin a bloody nightmare. 

Most of the detail parts of this set are large enough that they literally snap into place and require no gluing at all, a very useful feature. All parts were designed with assembly in mind.

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If you are interested in purchasing any of our sets, check out the availability at Sprue Brothers or Hannant.s for the North American and European markets respectively, and we are currently also shipping from within the EU. As always, any and all questions will be answered, so feel free to drop us a line.