1:144 B-29 Superfortress late production wheels w/ weighted tyres

Armory 1:144 B-29 Superfortress late production wheels with weighted tires

A resin wheel set in 1:144 scale for a model of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber in the late production form, from Armory. It is an accessory for a kit, not an airplane model. The tires are cast as weighted, that is with a flat area that sits down on the ground. In the small 1:144 scale the wheel is one of the few places where detail can realistically be gained, so swapping it for a casting is noticeable. The late production designation refers to the form of the wheel, which changed over the course of production of the aircraft. Check the scope of the set on the box.

The real subject

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was an American four-engine heavy bomber that represented a technological leap: it had a pressurized cabin, remotely controlled defensive gun turrets and powerful Wright R-3350 radial engines. It was deployed above all in the Pacific theater in 1944 and 1945, where it flew long distances against Japanese targets. Development of the engines and of the equipment continued throughout production, so machines from different production blocks differ in details, the wheels and their hubs included. After the war the B-29 served for a number of further years in reconnaissance and transport roles.

Use and tips

• Separate the tiny parts carefully, as they are easily lost in this scale
• Wash and degrease the castings before you start painting
• Work with tweezers and gel cyanoacrylate glue; little room is left for correction
• In 1:144 scale it is enough to set the tire apart by shade, so do not overdo the dry brush

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the B-29 in 1:144 scale
• Collectors of small scales who want to gain the detail that is available
• Patient modelers with experience of tiny castings

It is an accessory for a model, not a kit. The basic kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.