Wherefore art thou, wheels?

[sanguin]

The ancient Airfix K2 ambulance, K6 fire truck, Matador and Scammell kits are the ones I am interested in, but there must be others too.

The wheels are, how shall we say, somewhat lacking in substance.

Skinny, shrunken and puny are words that come to mind.

There used to be some really nice substitutes in white metal but are they still available anywhere?

The ones I knew from years back were by CMSC who seem to have passed them on to Wee Friends, Kingfisher and ontheway models but nobody now lists them.

Any suggestions where I can find decent replacements gratefully received.

White metal, resin, plastic or even hand knitted will be better than the Airfix originals.

Thanks,

John

[Test Graham]

The Matador wheels are undersized, but can be used to replace the kit wheels on the QL refueller. You do need to replace the QL's springs to avoid clashing with the wheel arches. Wheels the right size for the Matador can be found on the AEC Refueller. This recurrent flaw on old Airfix kits apparently comes from basing the kits on road-going civilian-owned examples

I didn't know that the K2 and K6 wheels were undersized, but BW models do K6 kits in white metal so may be willing to sell you spares. You should be able to find wheels appropriate to the K2 on kits produced by MMS models, and I know he is willing to sell some parts of his kits separately.

I did obtain some replacement CMSC Bedford tyres for the Queen Mary from PDI Model supplies. He had stopped selling the range, but may have stock left. Quality was not high.

I thought the Scammell wheels looked OK......

If all else fails ask again on Braille Scale.

[sanguin]

Belated thanks, Graham.

I have ordered everything that I need from BW models as you suggested, he is even making the K6 wheels for me.

I have also got the Matador wheels and rear stowage to come as well.

Thanks again,

John

[Malcolm Shaw]

Friendship models do replacements for the K2 Ambulance and other Airfix vehicle kits, too.

[Test Graham]

Thanks for that, some useful information.

[Sgt.Squarehead]

I'd also recommend the Wee-Friends/Friendship Models parts for the Airfix 1/76 K2....IIRC you can buy wheels only or wheels & leaf springs together.

You can get them via eBay: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Friendship-Models/1-72nd-and-1-76th-scale-/_i.html?_fsub=5363657015&_sid=94845675&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

BTW - I believe, although I'm not sure, that the Wee-Friends/Friendship Models parts are the CMSC parts.....I've got both and they look identical to me.

Edited April 2, 2013 by Sgt.Squarehead