1:48 F-35B Lightning-II wheels

Armory 1:48 F-35B Lightning II, resin wheels

This is an aftermarket accessory, not a model of the aircraft. The package contains resin wheel castings intended for a kit of the single-seat F-35B aircraft in 1:48 scale. Resin holds crisper definition of the tread and hub detail than can be drawn out of a split injection mold, and the casting has no parting line running across the most visible area of the wheel.

The real subject

The F-35B is the variant of the fifth-generation multi-role aircraft adapted for short takeoff and vertical landing. Behind the cockpit it carries a lift fan driven from the engine and an exhaust nozzle that can be swivelled downwards. Operation from short surfaces places higher demands on the landing gear than on the land-based variant, and the landing gear is precisely one of the most closely watched places on a finished model.

Usage tips

First wash the castings in lukewarm water with a drop of dish soap: residues of mold release agent otherwise repel both paint and glue. Cut the casting blocks off with a saw or a knife, do not snap them; then level the surface with a file or sanding paper. It is glued with cyanoacrylate, as ordinary plastic cement does not hold on resin. It is practical to spray the hub separately and mask it with a disc of masking tape or liquid mask before painting the tire. Always sand wet and with respiratory protection.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who build current combat aircraft in 1:48 scale
• Builders for whom the out-of-the-box wheel detail is not enough
• More advanced beginners willing to work with resin and cyanoacrylate glue
• Collectors who want to keep a consistent standard of detail across a whole cabinet

The accessory is supplied unpainted, as resin castings. Glue, paints and the base kit are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.