1:48 A-10C Thunderbolt II wheels

Wheels for the A-10C Thunderbolt II in 1:48 scale

Replacement wheels from Eduard intended for the model of the A-10C Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft in 1:48 scale. The set covers the landing gear wheels only; the rest of the aircraft comes from the kit the modeler buys to go with it.

The real subject

The A-10C is the modernized form of the well-known ground-attack aircraft, which was built around a seven-barrel rotary cannon for the direct support of ground troops. The upgrade brought new cockpit equipment and the ability to work with guided weapons. The aircraft looks massive on its landing gear, and the wheels with their tires are among the parts always in plain view on a model, because the aircraft sits low above the ground.

How to finish the wheels

Paint the hubs and the tires separately; the transition between them is easier to manage and nothing has to be laboriously painted over afterward. A dark wash will bring out the tread pattern, helped by a light touch of dust on the sidewalls. To seat the wheels convincingly, leave the model standing on a level surface until the glue has set, so that it does not end up leaning. Before fitting them, check that the axle sits in the fork without play.

Who the set is useful for

• Builders of modern American ground-attack aircraft
• Modelers replacing the wheels from the box with a more accurate part
• Anyone interested in aircraft parked with the cockpit open
• Builders tuning a model to competition quality

The aircraft model and the paints are not in the package.

The main landing gear of the A-10 retracts only partly into its fairings and the wheels stay visible from below even in flight. On a model built in a flying pose the replacement parts therefore do not lose their point.