1:48 Yak-7/9, La-5/7, LaGG-3, I-185, MiG-3 Wheels under load

The real subject

The Soviet Second World War fighters Yak-7 and Yak-9, La-5 and La-7, LaGG-3, I-185 and MiG-3 had a similarly laid out main landing gear with retractable wheels. The wheels are exactly the place on a finished model where the difference shows most between a part that simply snaps into the fork and a machine standing on the ground under its own weight.

What the set contains

The set brings replacement main landing gear wheels in 1:48 scale, made with the flattening of the tire that appears under the weight of a standing aircraft. They take the place of the kit parts and fit onto the original gear legs. The exact contents of the package and the list of kits the set is calculated for are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

The parts are not polystyrene, so use super glue or epoxy. Cut the excess material off with a sharp blade a little way from the part and carefully sand the remainder down so that the contact patch stays flat. Before painting, wash the wheels in lukewarm water with a drop of dish soap and degrease them.

• The flattened part of the tire has to point to the ground once glued.
• Fit both wheels so that the model stands evenly and does not rock.
• Spray the tire a dark gray rather than pure black; it looks truer on a model.
• Mask the rim before spraying the tire and uncover it only once dry.

Who it is for

It suits builders who want to lift the credibility of a Soviet fighter quickly and without major surgery on the kit. The set is an accessory to your own model; paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.