1:48 B-17 wheels rhomboid tread

Eduard resin wheels 1:48 B-17 — rhomboid tread

A set of cast resin wheels from the Czech maker Eduard for a model of the four-engine B-17 bomber in 1:48 scale. The designation in the name specifies the tread of the tire: this is the variant with the rhomboid pattern. It is precisely the tread that is the distinguishing detail on this subject, because the machines met several types of tire in service, so sets with other patterns also exist. The plastic model is not included in the package.

Why replace the wheels

Cast resin holds sharper detail than injection-molded plastic — the pattern of the tread, the inscriptions on the sidewall and the structure of the hub are all more legible. Resin wheels are also often supplied with the load suggested, that is with a slightly flattened contact patch, thanks to which the model does not look as if it were floating above the surface. On a large bomber that stands on its landing gear with all its weight, this detail is markedly visible.

Usage tips

First wash the parts in warm water with detergent so that the remains of the mold release agent are removed — without that neither paint nor glue will hold. Cut the casting block off with a fine saw, not with side cutters, and level the surface with a file or abrasive paper. Sand resin wet and with respiratory protection; the dust is unpleasant. They are glued exclusively with cyanoacrylate glue; plastic cement does not work on resin. Apply a primer before painting. Finally separate the tire and the hub by masking or by careful brush work; with the loaded form, make sure the flattened area faces the ground.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the B-17 in 1:48 scale
• Those who want a sharp tread and a legible hub instead of a soft plastic casting
• Builders who specifically need the rhomboid tire pattern
• Modelers with experience of resin and cyanoacrylate glue

This is an accessory, not a kit. The model, glue and paints are not included in the package.