1:48 B-26 Marauder wheels early diamond pattern

Wheels for the B-26 Marauder in 1:48, early diamond pattern

This Plusmodel set in 1:48 scale brings wheels for the early versions of the Martin B-26 Marauder bomber. According to the name, the tire tread carries the diamond pattern typical of the older production batches of this machine. It is an accessory for an aircraft model, not a stand-alone kit.

Why the tread pattern matters

The tread pattern is one of the few features by which the production batch of a particular machine can be told on a finished model. The diamond pattern matches the older batches, while later aircraft received tires with longitudinal grooves. Anyone building a particular aircraft from a period photograph will appreciate that both versions exist as separate items and nothing has to be improvised. The set thus solves a detail that is otherwise hard to reproduce on a model.

Building recommendation

Fit the wheels only once the landing gear legs have dried, otherwise the axle may shift and the model will stand crooked. Check that it is level on glass or another smooth surface. Painting is easiest off the aircraft: unify the tire with a dark shade and paint the hub only once the rubber is finished. A light dusting of the lower part adds the impression that the machine stood on a grass or dusty airfield.

Who the accessory is useful for

• Modelers building an early batch of the Marauder
• Builders who work from period photographs
• Anyone interested in telling production batches apart precisely
• Those who want the model to stand on wheels of its own