1:48 WW2 German SD.kfz.254 wheel set(1) - sagged

Replacement wheels with flattened tires

A set of replacement wheels for a model of the German Sd.Kfz.254 vehicle of the Second World War period, in 1:48 scale. They replace the wheels from the original kit, and their main strength is the modeled flattening of the tire where it meets the ground. This is neither a kit nor a model but an accessory to a vehicle under construction.

Why the flattening is worth it

A wheel from a kit tends to be perfectly round, but a real tire bends and spreads where it meets the ground under the weight of the vehicle. The difference is small, yet immediately noticeable on a finished model: the vehicle stops looking as though it were floating above the base and gains a sense of weight. That is exactly why these sets are bought above all for models destined for dioramas and bases.

Building and painting tips

• once glued, the flattened area must point toward the ground and lie on the base over its whole surface
• line all the wheels up in the same plane, or the model will stand crooked
• try the seating dry, as the hub often needs adjusting
• choose the glue according to the material of the parts and the manufacturer's instructions, as polystyrene cement may not bond
• wash the parts in lukewarm water with dish soap and degrease them before painting
• apply a primer coat, or the finish will not hold on the smooth surface

The real subject

The Sd.Kfz.254 was an armored vehicle of Austrian origin that Germany used above all for artillery observation. Its peculiarity was the convertible running gear: depending on the terrain it could run on wheels, or lower itself onto tracks. The wheels are therefore not merely a chassis detail but one of the two forms in which the vehicle moved.

Terms of supply

A set of wheels is supplied. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.