1-:48 P-51B/C wheels oval tread

The real subject

The P-51B and P-51C were versions of the American Mustang fighter from the time when the machine did not yet have a bubble canopy. They were the same aircraft from two different factories, which is why they are given together in reference works and in instructions. It was with these versions that the Mustang made its name as an escort fighter over Europe.

What the set contains

The set brings replacement wheels with an oval tread pattern on the tire for a P-51B/C model in 1:48 scale. Mustangs appeared in service with several different tread patterns, so the choice of wheels is part of deciding on the particular machine you are building, and it is worth checking the subject against a photograph. How many parts the package holds and which kit the set allows for are given by the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

The parts are not polystyrene, so cyanoacrylate glue holds on them while cement for polystyrene does not. Cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little clear of the part and sand the rest off carefully, so as not to disturb the shape of the tire or the seating face. Wash and degrease the wheels before painting. The hub and the tire are easiest to paint separately: the lighter shade of the hub first, then a masking disc or strip once dry, and only then the dark tire.

Who it is for

The set suits a modeler who wants the landing gear more accurate than it comes out of the kit's mold and does not mind swapping a finished plastic part. It is an accessory to a kit; the model itself, the paints and the glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.