1:48 RAF WWII Wheel Chock Set - 4 Big and 2 Small Chocks

RAF wheel chocks 1:48 (Tiger Head Models)

A set of ground equipment from the Tiger Head Models brand in 1:48 scale. According to the name it contains six chocks, four big and two small, that is a combination with which both a light fighter and a substantially heavier aircraft could be served. It is not a model of an airplane and not a part of one, but an accessory to a finished model and to dioramas from the setting of the Royal Air Force in the Second World War.

What the chocks are for

A chock under a wheel is an inconspicuous thing one becomes aware of only when it is missing. An aircraft on a grass surface will not hold itself on its brakes; a slope, a gust of wind or the running engine of a neighboring machine is enough and hundreds of kilograms start to move. That is why wooden chocks were slid under the main wheels right after braking, usually joined with a rope so that they could be pulled out in one movement and all at once. On a model they serve a similarly practical function: they connect an aircraft with its base, give a scene scale and fill the empty space around the landing gear, which otherwise looks sterile. The difference between a big and a small chock, moreover, makes it possible to build machines of various sizes, or to place the equipment loose around the apron, as it really looked at the bases.

Building and painting tips

Before painting, wash the parts in lukewarm soapy water and remove the remains of the casting blocks; then level the small spots with fine sandpaper wet. The chocks were usually wooden, so a light brown base works well, a darker glaze over it and finally drybrushing in a lighter tone, which brings out the edges and the structure of the wood. The rope between the chocks can be suggested with a thin thread or a drawn filament and attached with super glue. At the end add a little dust pigment, so that the equipment does not look fresher than the aircraft above it.

Who the set is for

• Builders of dioramas from British airfields of the Second World War
• Modelers who want to set an aircraft in 1:48 scale into a setting
• Those interested in ground equipment and accessories for an apron
• Those practicing the painting of wood on small parts

The accessory is supplied unpainted and without the base model. Glue, paints and the kit are not part of the package, unless stated otherwise.