1:72 G4 German WWII Staff Car off-road pattern wheels w/ weighted tires

Wheels with an off-road tread for the G4 staff car in 1:72 scale (Armory)

A set of resin wheels from the manufacturer Armory for a model of the German staff car G4 of the Second World War in 1:72 scale. The wheels have an off-road tread pattern and so-called weighted tires — a slight flattening at the point of contact with the road, as real tires have under the weight of a vehicle. This is not a standalone model but a replacement for the wheels from a kit, which gives a model a natural, heavy stance at once.

Why resin wheels

Wheels are among the most visible parts of a car model, and plastic moldings from a mold tend to have compromises precisely here — mold seams across the tread or a simplified pattern. A resin casting allows sharper detail on both the tread pattern and the hub, and the flattening of the tires rids a model of the impression that it is floating above the base. The subject is the Mercedes-Benz G4, a three-axle representative and staff car of the German command of the 1930s, known from period photographs of columns and parades.

Building tips

Cut the casting blocks off with a fine saw or a sharp knife and sand the mark down — work with respiratory protection. Bond the wheels with super glue and take care that the flattened area of all the wheels faces the base. Spray the hubs separately and unify the tires in a matte dark gray; a fine dust pigment in the tread will support the off-road character.

Who the accessory is for

• modelers of German hardware and vehicles in 1:72 scale
• builders of the G4 staff car model who want a more faithful stance
• more experienced modelers with the basics of working with resin
• builders of dioramas with wheels sunk into the terrain

The accessory is supplied unpainted and is not a standalone model — it replaces the wheels in a kit of the G4 car. Check compatibility with your particular kit before building.