1:32 Do-335? Pfeil wheels set (weighted)

The real subject

The Dornier Do 335, nicknamed Pfeil, is a German twin-engine fighter of the late Second World War. What makes it memorable is the tandem arrangement of its piston engines: one drives a tractor propeller in the nose, the other a pusher propeller behind the tail. It has nose landing gear, so the machine stands level and the wheels are clearly visible on a model.

What the set contains

Replacement wheels for a Do 335 model in 1:32 scale, made with a flattened tire. The flattened area imitates a tire deflected by the weight of the airplane, so that on a surface the model does not stand on a thin line of contact but bears on it with its whole footprint. The exact make-up of the set and the kit it is prepared for are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the remainder down carefully. Wash and degrease the wheels before painting, otherwise the paint will not hold. Paint the disc and the tire separately and mask the transition between them; the result is cleaner than correcting it afterwards with a brush. When gluing them to the landing gear leg, make sure the flattened area faces the ground exactly and that the model does not rock; check the axle dry while the part can still be moved.

• 1:32 scale
• replacement wheels for a Do 335 Pfeil model
• tires with a flat spot that imitates loading
• an accessory for a finished kit, not a model in its own right
• the flattened area has to face the ground when gluing

Terms of supply

The airplane kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.