1:48 I-153 wheels & paint masks

1:48 Resin wheels and paint masks for the Polikarpov I-153 (Aires)

This is not an aircraft model but an add-on set for a build. The package holds resin landing gear wheels for the Soviet Polikarpov I-153 biplane in 1:48 scale and, with them, a set of paint masks that make it easy to separate the tire from the hub. The manufacturer is the Czech firm Aires, which has long focused on resin detail sets for aircraft models.

The real subject

The Polikarpov I-153, nicknamed Chaika, was a Soviet fighter biplane of the late 1930s. Its hallmarks are the gull upper wing and, unusually for a biplane, retractable landing gear that folded into the fuselage. The wheels are therefore clearly visible on this type both retracted and on machines shown on the ground, and their shape and tread profile are among the details a viewer of a model notices first.

Tips for working it

First wash the resin castings in warm water with a drop of detergent, so that the remains of the mold release agent are removed, otherwise the paint will not hold. Cut the casting blocks off with a fine saw and never snap them. Sanding is best done wet and with respiratory protection, because resin dust is irritating. The wheels are glued with super glue. Apply the masks to the wheel only after the base color of the tire has dried, and only then spray the shade of the hub; take the mask off while the paint has only just dried, so that the edge does not tear away.

Who the set is for

• Builders of Soviet prewar and early war aircraft in 1:48 scale.
• Modelers who are bothered by the parting line and the inaccurate profile of plastic wheels.
• Anyone after a clean transition between the tire and the hub without laborious work with a brush.
• Builders who already have experience of resin castings and super glue.

The set is an accessory for a build, not a model in its own right. The parts are supplied unpainted; glue, paints and the base kit are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.