1:32 de Havilland Mk.3/Mk.5 Vampire wheels set type 2 (weighted)

de Havilland Vampire Mk.3 and Mk.5, wheel set 1:32, type 2 (Reskit)

A resin set of wheels for models of the de Havilland Vampire jet in the Mk.3 and Mk.5 versions, 1:32 scale. It is not a kit of the aircraft but an accessory that replaces the wheels from a plastic kit. The version is designated type 2, that is one of the variants the manufacturer offers for this aircraft, and it is weighted, which means that the tire has a suggested sag and a contact patch as on a machine standing on the ground.

The real subject

The de Havilland Vampire is a first-generation British jet aircraft with its characteristic short fuselage nacelle and a pair of tail booms. It served in the postwar period with a number of countries and became one of the most widespread machines of its time. The Mk.3 and Mk.5 versions are among its common forms, and in the large 1:32 scale it is precisely the landing gear that stands out, since it is clearly visible under the high nacelle.

Building and painting tips

Wash the parts in lukewarm soapy water so that no mold release agent is left on them. On weighted wheels the casting block tends to sit on the contact patch, so cut it off with a saw and level the surface, otherwise the wheel will not stand straight. Protect your breathing when sanding resin. Glue with cyanoacrylate glue (super glue). Apply a primer before painting, unify the tire in dark gray and separate the hub with a mask or a brush. When fitting, make sure the flat patch rests on the surface over its whole area.

Who the set is for

• modelers building the Vampire Mk.3 or Mk.5 in 1:32 scale
• those who want weighted wheels with a realistic stance
• a replacement for split plastic wheels without a seam across the tread
• builders of large models with an interest in landing gear detail

It is an accessory for a kit, not a model in its own right. Paints and glue are not included in the package.