Halberd Models A-26B/C Invader Wheel Set (3225 for Hobby Boss) 1:32

[Mike]

A-26B/C Invader Wheel Set (3225 for Hobby Boss)

1:32 Halberd Models

 

 

 

Halberd Models’ new(ish) flexible resin tyre sets require a slightly different method of construction to standard resin wheels, so I’ll refer you back to my initial review in 2019 here, which explains the process and design ethos in more detail.  It also has a link to a video that shows the process fully, so if you’re unsure about how to use flexible resin tyres it’s worth a read.  This new batch however adds another level of configuration to enable the modeller to apply a variable level of sag to the tyres that as far as I understand it, is possibly the first in the hobby.

 

The new techniques include the usual parts we’ve come to expect, but with the addition (or subtraction) of a thin section of the tyre that is destined to sit on the ground.  This gives the tyre alone an incredibly flexible contact patch with the ground if they were to be used with the old circular hubs.  The new hubs are different however, and have a block at the bottom that fills the thin area of the tyre, making it less flexible.  If you wish to make your tyre sage more, simply sand back the “key” as we’ll call it, taking care to keep the curved underside, which helps keep the shape of the tyre.  The assemblies are otherwise a drop-in replacement for the kit parts, so they should glue straight onto the landing gear axles, but it's always wise to test and adjust as necessary, as you'll be using either epoxy or super-glue to attach them because resin doesn't adhere to plastic with styrene glue.  The advantage is that you can configure the sag as much or as little as you want, all before you glue the hubs into the tyres.

 

 

Construction is straight forward and first involves removing the moulded-in brake detail from the kit gear legs, as shown in the instructions.  The centre section of the flexible tyres is removed with a sharp blade and final clean-up with a burr in your motor tool, then the main wheels have the two-part hubs glued into the two main wheel tyres with optional adjustment of the sag with a sanding stick to abrade away the key.  The smaller nose wheel has three styles included, each of which have two-part hubs, one with fine spokes, one covered in simple flat hubcaps, while the third has a single hub part with an 8-spoke hubcap.  The 6-spoked hubcaps on the main wheels and the 8-spoke nose wheel (if you are using it) have flash across the interstices between the spokes, so this also needs to be removed, showing off the deep interior of the hub to great effect.  Once painted they should look very realistic, and the flexible tyres can be painted and or weathered if you wish with latex based acrylic paints, which have flexibility to match the elastic properties of the resin.

 

Highly recommended.

 

They’re currently being sold direct to customers via their Facebook page and eBay shop worldwide.

 

Review sample courtesy of