1:32 A1H Skyraider wheels & paint masks

A-1H Skyraider, resin wheels and painting masks 1:32 (Aires)

The set replaces the wheels from a plastic kit with resin castings and adds painting masks for the finish. It is not a model of the aircraft nor a kit for one: it is an accessory that goes into a model under construction in the same scale. The base model is not included in the package.

What the set is for

In 1:32 scale the wheels are among the most closely watched details, because they sit low, close to the viewer, and their shape is easily compared with the real thing. A resin casting holds a crisper tread pattern, clearer hub detail and a cleaner transition between tire and rim than ordinary injection molding can give. The enclosed painting masks deal with the most laborious part of the finish: the precise separation of the rubber tire from the hub, which is very hard to follow with a brush.

Usage and painting tips

First wash the casting in lukewarm soapy water so that the mold release residue disappears. Cut the casting block off with a razor saw and level the surface on sanding paper laid on a flat board; only then will the wheel stand straight once glued on and the model will not rock on its base. Glue with cyanoacrylate glue. Paint in this order: tire, cure, apply the mask, hub. Lift the mask while the paint is fresh but not wet. Do not make the tire shade black; a dark gray looks more credible in scale.

Who the set is for

• Builders in the large 1:32 scale who are refining the landing gear detail
• Modelers who are not satisfied with the shape and pattern of the wheels from the plastic kit
• Anyone wanting a clean color separation of hub and tire without laborious brush work
• More experienced modelers used to working with resin and cyanoacrylate

This is an accessory for building a model, not a standalone kit. The base model, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.