1:72 Wheels for Schwimmwagen „wide“ (underinflated)

Wheels for the Schwimmwagen 1:72, wide and underinflated (Firma49)

Note: this is not a kit. It is a replacement part, a set of wheels in resin in 1:72 scale from Firma49 (a Czech brand of modeling accessories). The set contains five wheels and is meant to be swapped for the plastic wheels from the box. The Schwimmwagen model itself is not included in the package and you have to have it.

What underinflated and wide mean

Underinflated means that the tire is realistically sagging and spread where it meets the ground, exactly as if it were not at full pressure. That is the whole point of the product: it makes the model look as though the vehicle has weight and really stands on the ground. A perfectly round wheel straight out of the mold, by contrast, often looks as if the model were hovering above the surface.

Wide refers to a particular variant of the real subject. Most Schwimmwagens had narrow tires, but a version with wide off-road tires also existed, which handled noticeably better in heavy going. This set matches that wide variant, so check that you are building the corresponding version of the vehicle.

The real subject

The Schwimmwagen (VW Type 166) was a German amphibious off-road car of the Second World War. It could swim, with a folding propeller at the stern, and combined with four-wheel drive that made it an exceptionally capable reconnaissance and liaison vehicle.

Use and fitting

• Cut the original plastic wheels off the kit and replace them with the resin ones
• Before gluing, wash the parts in lukewarm soapy water to remove the mold release residue, as otherwise the paint will not hold
• Cut off the casting blocks and clean up the faces
• Resin is NOT glued with polystyrene cement; use cyanoacrylate glue (super glue) or an epoxy
• Lay down a primer before painting, and point the sag of the wheel correctly down toward the surface

Who the set is for

For modelers in 1:72 scale who build the Schwimmwagen and want the vehicle to really sit on the ground in a diorama or a display case. Compatibility with a particular kit is not declared on the product, so it is advisable to check before buying that the set fits your Schwimmwagen model in 1:72.

Safety note: resin dust is harmful to health, so always sand wet, do not inhale it and wash your hands after work. The set does not contain a model, glue or paints.