Trumpeter BTR-70 Weighted Road Wheels Type 1/2 - 1:35 ET Models

[Mike]

BTR-70 Weighted Road Wheels Type 1/2 (for Trumpeter)
1:35 ET Models

These sets are designed to replace the kit supplied soft plastic wheels and styrene hubs, which some modellers find a bit annoying and unrealistic, with concerns over their long-term durability. ET Model have responded with two sets of wheels with different hub detail, although I have to confess I don't know whether the differences between them are appropriate for certain variants, or just as a result of two different designs.

Type 1



Type 2

Type 1 has a set of radial strengthening ribs in the main part of the hub, while type 2 is smooth. The tyres are identical between the sets, and you simply glue the hubs in the middle, and here I'd suggest using two-part epoxy resin to soak up the small gaps that can appear between the two parts, which should also improve the bond. The tyres have a slight weighting to them, characteristic of any pneumatic tyre that is under load, and more realistic than those without. The moulding block is situated on the contact patch, so clean-up is minimal, requiring the modeller to just trim it flush with the surrounding resin so that it stands flat on the ground.

Each set comes complete with eight tyres and eight hubs, bagged in fours on a black backing card inside ET Model's standard tough plastic bag. Moulding is up to their usual high standard, and construction should be straight-forward if you use epoxy as the glue, hiding any remaining gaps by using Vallejo's excellent acrylic "putty" with precision applicator, wiping clean with a damp finger before it sets.

Conclusion
If you know why there were two types of hub, just pick the correct one, or alternatively just choose the one you like better. The sets are simple to use, and gets rid of those pesky "rubber" tyres.

Highly recommended.

Available soon from White Ensign Models in the UK


Review Sample courtesy of

[Dads203]

These look really good, much better than the kit suppiled items. Cheers for review

Dan