1:72 Sukhoj Su-32/34 wheels with weighted tires, front mudguard

Sukhoi Su-32 and Su-34 in 1:72 scale - resin wheels

A set of cast wheels with weighted tires for a model of the Russian Su-34 strike aircraft in 1:72 scale. The box states that it also holds a mudguard for the nose landing gear. It is not an aircraft kit but an accessory that replaces the plastic wheels from the kit. The underside of the tire is cast flattened, as if the weight of the machine were pressing on the wheel, and the one-piece casting has no parting line running through the middle of the tire.

The real subject

The Su-34 is a two-seat strike aircraft that Sukhoi developed from the Su-27 family. You can tell it at first glance by the seats side by side and the flat nose. Under the designation Su-32 the machine was presented at air shows. Because its takeoff weight is considerably higher than that of the Su-27, it was given strengthened landing gear: the nose leg carries two wheels side by side and the main legs a pair of wheels in tandem, while the Su-27 has a single wheel on each leg. That is exactly why Su-27 wheels cannot be used on this type without modification.

How to work with the resin wheels

Wash the parts in warm soapy water so that the mold release agent disappears. Cut the casting block off with a fine-toothed saw and sand the face down, protecting your breathing while you sand. Glue with cyanoacrylate, that is, super glue; cement for polystyrene does not hold on resin. Point the flattened part of the tire toward the base and align both sides. Spray a primer before painting.

Who the set is for

• Builders of modern Russian hardware in 1:72 scale
• Modelers who want wheels with a faithful flattening of the tire
• Owners of older molds with coarsely shaped wheels
• Diorama builders who build a machine standing on the ground

The set is supplied unpainted. Glue, paints and the base kit are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.