1:48 B-17B/C/D/E/F Flying Fortress wheels w/ weighted tyres type

The real subject

The B-17 Flying Fortress is an American four-engine heavy bomber of the Second World War, powered by radial engines and famous for how much damage it could take on the way home. The versions designated B to F precede the most widespread late form and differ from it mainly in the defense of the forward hemisphere and in the shape of the tail surfaces. The machine was heavy even empty, so the load on the main wheels showed at first glance.

What the set offers

These are replacement wheels on which the tire is made with flattening where it meets the ground, that is as it looks under the weight of a standing aircraft. This is exactly the detail that sets a model on the ground and rids it of the impression that it is floating. Check the material of the parts, the way they are made, the number of pieces in the package and the tire type in the manufacturer's figures before you buy.

• wheels with flattened tires in 1:48 scale
• for the early B-17 versions designated B to F
• the flattened area is glued facing the ground

Building tips

Fit the wheels dry first and turn them so that the flattened area lies on the surface across its full width and both main wheels are in one plane; only then glue them. Cut the surplus material off with a sharp blade a little away from the part and sand the remainder down. Wash and degrease the parts before painting. Leave the tire more toward gray than black — you can tell new rubber in old photographs by how light it is — and leave the contact patch dusty.

Who it is for

For modelers of American bombers who want to finish off, on a model on a stand, precisely the detail that everyone notices. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.