1:32 German 710x85 spoked wheels - 1 pair

Spoked wheels 710x85 mm for German aircraft, 1:32 scale (Art Scale)

This is not a model of an aircraft but an add-on set of landing gear wheels. The package holds one pair, that is two wheels, made by 3D printing. That allows the thin wires of the spoking and the fine profile of the tire to be printed far more faithfully than a classic mold can manage. The size 710x85 mm is the period designation of the tire by its outer diameter and width.

What the set is for

Wheels of this size appear on a number of German aircraft of the end of the First World War, on which the landing gear is one of the most visible parts of a model. The set replaces the plastic wheels of a kit, or serves on a build out of the box where the original parts have no spoking drawn in. On period machines the spoking was often covered with a fabric skin; wheels with the spoking exposed therefore suit above all where a modeler wants to show the structure.

Fitting and painting tips

First look the parts over against the light and cut the 3D print supports away with a sharp scalpel; sand the places where they were with fine abrasive paper. Before painting, wash the surface in lukewarm soapy water and let it dry thoroughly so that the paint holds. Lay the base down as a thin primer, or the fine relief will be lost. Paint the tire a dark gray, never a pure black, and bring the spoking out with a metallic shade and a fine wash. Glue with cyanoacrylate glue, not with cement for plastic.

Who the set is for

• builders of First World War aircraft in a large scale
• modelers who want to replace plastic wheels with a more faithful part
• more experienced builders used to working with 3D-printed parts
• anyone interested in close-up shots and photographing a finished model

The set holds add-on parts only. The model, the glue and the paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.