1:35 German Man 5t. mil gl Truck Sagged wheel set 2 Continetal HCS

The real subject

The MAN 5t mil gl is a German cross-country truck that spent decades in Bundeswehr service as a prime mover and transporter. The abbreviation mil gl in its designation stands for the military off-road version, which is why it rides on tall cross-country tires with a coarse tread. The wheels are the most conspicuous part of a model of this vehicle: they sit low to the ground, the eye goes to them first, and they decide whether the model reads as a standing machine or as a toy on round rollers.

What the set contains

Replacement wheels with weighted tires, that is with the tread flattened where it meets the ground, in the pattern designated Continental HCS. The number in the name distinguishes the individual wheel variants for this truck. How many wheels are in the package, and whether the rims or a spare are included, is given in the manufacturer's instructions. The wheels replace the parts from the base kit and are fitted onto its axles.

Building and painting tips

Fit the wheel so that the flattened area faces the ground, otherwise the whole point of the set is lost. Cut away the excess material and the production marks with a sharp blade a little away from the part, and level the contact patch on a sanding plate so that the truck stands on all its wheels at once. Wash and degrease the parts before painting. Choose the glue according to the material of the parts: cyanoacrylate glue for resin and printed parts, plastic cement for polystyrene. Leave the tire dark gray rather than black, and lift the tread with a dry brush and with dust to match the ground.

Terms of supply

The set is intended as an add-on to a kit. Paints and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.