Spitfire Vb BL924 wheels

[johnd]

Hi,

I'm building a model of one of the Danish presentation Spitfires, BL924 and I'm not sure about the type of wheels fitted.

This photo*: photo seems to show wheels with some sort of hub cap to hide the spokes. I've seen similar on later marks (a pair are supplied with the Xtrakit Mk XII) but not on the Mk V. Any ideas?

Thanks,

John.

* Second one down

Edited April 6, 2012 by johnd

[Giorgio N]

It's not an uncommon feature on Spitfire Vs, there are several pictures showing this. Underneath the cap you would see the 5 spoke wheels typical of early spitfires. If you don't have this type of wheel available, it's not hard to do by cutting a plasticard circle with a hole for the wheel hub and one to allow access to the inflating valve

Edited April 6, 2012 by Giorgio N

[Edgar]

It was simply a cover, including a cap for the inflator valve, which was originally designed as a counter to snow ingress, but was later used to keep out mud and sand, as well.

Edgar

[3DStewart]

If you modelling in 1:48 then Ultracast do a very nice Spitfire covered hub wheel.

We have them in stock, if you're interested.

Stewart

[johnd]

Thanks fellas, I'll lift the ones from the Xtrakit Mk XII.

Strictly 1/72 for me, thanks (more kits that way)

[johnd]

One more question...would they be aluminium or painted in underside colour?

Ta,

John.

[Edgar]

Cast metal, probably steel, for the wheel hubs; unlikely to be painted in case paint flakes got into the brakes. For the covers, more likely to be aluminium, possibly unpainted, but maybe silver, like the oleo legs.

Edited April 7, 2012 by Edgar

[johnd]

Thank you Edgar, a mine of information as always.