PatG Posted September 14 Share Posted September 14 As part of my current Airfix Me 262 build I ordered the Eduard replacement wheels from Hannants which were marked as being for the Airfix kit. Service from Hannants was excellent as always but the wheels themselves are a huge disappointment as they definitely do not fit the kits axles, offering only small diameter holes for the axles where as they are in fact much greater diameter and key shaped so requiring not just a simple hole as such. I'll be returning them for a refund as they do not do 'what its says on the tin' so as to speak but is this type of issue common with after market stuff I wonder or this quite a rare occurrence? Would like to know as I seldom buy aftermarket stuff and don't know how reliable it is generally before I buy any more. Pat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck1945 Posted September 14 Share Posted September 14 I seldom buy AM replacement wheels but I have noticed that while most of the more recent Airfix kits have the wheels and axels keyed, the pictures (where shown) seldom show the various AM replacements appropriately keyed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SafetyDad Posted September 15 Share Posted September 15 Your question inevitably will take us beyond wheels and into the areas of accuracy and fit of other parts as well. I would suggest that you research your intended product carefully before committing to purchase. There are often detailed reviews, with photos, here and on other on-line discussion boards . Reviewers are usually knowledgeable, and they're aware of fit and compatibility issues. These can save a whole lot of pain and angst, or give you the incentive to order these parts immediately and in quantity before they are OOP . SD 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatG Posted September 15 Author Share Posted September 15 Very good advice so thank you. The issue is with Eduard on this occasion (who are generally pretty good & reliable) and them saying that the part is specific to the Airfix kit when it clearly is not suitable at all. Just to add that I've bought replacement wheels before without any issues but not for Airfix kits though with keyed wheels, so lesson learned. Just hope Hannants agree and offer a return and full refund given that I regularly place orders with them, like many of us I suspect. Thanks again. Pat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnAndersen Posted September 15 Share Posted September 15 On 14/09/2024 at 20:21, PatG said: ... offering only small diameter holes for the axles where as they are in fact much greater diameter and key shaped so requiring not just a simple hole as such.... Agree that it's unfortunate/irritating/frustrating that the wheels dont fit, when the manufactor claims that they do. What set was it? I tried to find replacement wheels for an airfix 262 but came up with naught. /Finn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorty84 Posted September 15 Share Posted September 15 (edited) Unfortunately, quite often there are no reviews available and you have only the official pictures of the manufacturer, which quite often don't show the parts from all angles (intentional or not). And then, most if not all reviews of after market sets are only in-box reviews and do not check the fit to the intended kit. Therefore, they will not provide you with an idea if the product will fit without problems or not. Most of the time you will only know via build reports from unfortunate modellers which try to wrestle cockpits or wheel wells into the intended kit by sanding the plastic and resin paper thin (I think we all know who we are talking about ). Regarding your case, I'm wondering if they had the kit at hand at all, or designed wheels as usual (with round axle), not thinking that Airfix keyed them? Considering the speed and sheer amount of sets some manufacturers pump out and the considerable fit issues some sets exhibit, I'm often wondering if such shortcuts are taken sometimes. In addition to trying to get a refund, I would write Eduard and send them pictures to show the issue. Only if we raise our voice, there is a chance that manufacturers take more care next time. Cheers Markus Edited September 15 by Shorty84 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted September 15 Share Posted September 15 If the wheels offer anything worth having in terms of better quality or appearance - often they do not - a fix is possible. Measure the diameter of the Airfix spindle using your micrometer. Drill the Eduard wheel appropriately so that it is an interference fit. Position the wheel with the (hopefully minimal) flattening to the ground and fix with cyanoacrylate cement. 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatG Posted September 15 Author Share Posted September 15 Finn, The set in question is ED672159 and the description of the set on Hannants says, "Messerschmitt Me-262A-1a Schwalbe wheels with weighted tyre effect (designed to be used with Airfix kits)", so pretty clear that they should be right! Getting them to fit would require reshaping and removing the key shape part of the axle and then reducing the axle diameter which I'm loathe to attempt for fear of breaking the axles off completely in the process. Plus at £5.30 for the set they should be designed to fit straight away in my humble opinion. HTH. Pat. Ps. I'll also be dropping a mail to Eduard so see what they say. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatG Posted September 16 Author Share Posted September 16 Just sent a mail to Eduard and also looked at the item on their web site which also shows an instruction sheet. The kit axles are shown in blue for some reason but nothing to say what this means or a symbol to say they have to be amended or removed for the parts to fit so I'll see what they come back with. If you have to chop and change the kit part then it's difficult to see how they can say that the parts are suitable for the kit as they would then fit any of the Me 262 kits on the market, not just Airfix, so just feel I've been conned out of £5.30! Regards Pat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tank152 Posted September 16 Share Posted September 16 I've just looked at both sets of instructions and granted there is no mention of removing the keyed parts of the axles it's surely quite obvious that needs to be done. Just file them off and you're good to go. It's pretty normal that you have to alter the kit part to accept an aftermarket part. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 16 Share Posted September 16 I've had a look to test my theory, and couldn't see anything. My theory was that they were released before this kit you're building when the only Airfix 262 had spindles for axles, rather than the keyed ones. Eduard AM is good AM, and they usually try to make your job as easy as possible, so if they were designed with this kit in mind, they'd be keyed too. Just a thought 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatG Posted September 16 Author Share Posted September 16 Mike, Many thanks. The old Airfix kit is very old so I'd be surprised if this was the kit they intended the set to be used with, so it looks like they were less than diligent when producing it. As for it being 'obvious' that the parts would not match the kits axles and that surgery would obviously be required I tend to disagree as it is down to the manufacturer (or possibly the retailer if they were also aware) to point this out to its customers before they buy. As this set is relatively recent it is almost certainly aimed at the recent Airfix release so I had no reason to believe that the set was not wholly compatible, unless otherwise highlighted which it was/is not. The best you can say about the set is that it is 'generic' and could be fitted, with surgery, to any Me 262 kit in this scale and should be sold as such and not Airfix specific which it is not. Just pretty basic customer service on the part (no pun intended) of Eduard. Pat. Ps. Heard nothing back from either Eduard or Hannants as yet so will keep my fingers crossed that I get some form of response and redress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight_Flyer Posted September 16 Share Posted September 16 I had a look on Scalemates and it definitely says for the new tool Airfix 262. Eduard released the AM wheels in 2017. The PDF instructions say push wheels onto the existing pins... in that respect, very surprised they don't fit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warhawk Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 (edited) On 9/15/2024 at 10:48 PM, Shorty84 said: Unfortunately, quite often there are no reviews available and you have only the official pictures of the manufacturer, which quite often don't show the parts from all angles (intentional or not). And then, most if not all reviews of after market sets are only in-box reviews and do not check the fit to the intended kit. Fit aside - when I see a new aftermarket set announced, I am also always interested in what does this new 'correction set' actually correct (and does it at all)? And producers rarely provide that information. One of biggest sources of frustrations for me are Quickboost sets. In 75% cases it's the kit part duplicated in same (and wrong) shape with just some better paneling... Edited September 25 by warhawk 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 Hey, it could have been worse, you could have paid $71 on Amazon and have no chance of getting your money back. https://www.amazon.com.au/EDU672159-Eduard-Brassin-Wheels-ACCESSORY/dp/B072LQDTC8 I had a look at an unmade Airfix kit similar to this 2 seater. I imagine wheels are the same. https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235082679-messerschmitt-me262-b-1a-airfix-kgj-54-trainer/ and I don't see any problems thinning down the spindles or enlarging the holes - I would probably do a bit of both. However I agree that it's not a description up to Eduard's usual standard and a complaint is justified. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatG Posted September 17 Author Share Posted September 17 (edited) Oddly the set I have appears to have smaller holes than those shown on the Eduard web making thinning down of the kit axles more problematic, so it could just be a duff set as well perhaps? As I have limited use of my left hand, so I effectively model one-handed, the chances are I'd not make a success of thinning the axles down to an acceptable diameter and shape and could then end up asking Airfix for replacement u/c legs at additional cost if I were to break them off completely. So in retrospect I'd have been better off sticking with the kit wheels, which aren't great, and saving myself the £5.30 plus the disappointment. To be fair to Eduard the wheels are a vast improvement over those in the kit and are superbly detailed and molded, and I know many have the skills to adapt them and/or the kit axles to achieve a good fit but sadly this is not where I'm at given my dexterity limitations. So I have to rely upon an after market 'set' being broadly suitable to fit with only fairly minor tweaking which to date has always been the case. Thanks for all the various comments and advice. Pat. Ps. Ed- superb build and finish on your 2-seater by the way Edited September 17 by PatG missing info 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatG Posted September 24 Author Share Posted September 24 (edited) I'm at the stage where the fuselage is completed and the engines built so I've offered up the lower wing section and (taped on) upper wings and the fit to the fuselage is quite good with no major gaps or issues at all. However, deep breath, the engines seem to be for another kit completely as the fit, if you can call it that, is truly dreadful but I'm not sure what needs to be done to correct this, so is the problem the wings or the engine nacelles or both? So before I start hacking away and potentially making things worse can anyone confirm the best way to go about this please as in the areas that are causing the problem and what needs to be corrected/removed/sanded? Also is it best to glue the wing halves together and then undertake the surgery before fitting the wing assembly to the fuselage, or better to fit the wing assembly first and then start hacking and sanding away? I suspect this issue has been possibly raised before but I couldn't find a suitable post and the on-line videos I've found just say the fit is not good, so hoping I'm not going over old ground. Pat. Ps I cannot believe that such a relatively modern kit can have such an extremely poor fit issue so did Airfix actually try and build it before it was released I wonder? Edited September 24 by PatG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 I had no real problems with mine. The minor problem of joining the engines to the wing is well documented and most people have made a good job of it - it was referred to in your earlier thread. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 3 hours ago, PatG said: I cannot believe that such a relatively modern kit can have such an extremely poor fit issue I can. Airfix are reaching further than their ability allows, but don't dare criticise the Almighty! I'm currently losing interest in their 1/72nd Swordfish... There's been at least one build of the 262 here in recent months with a commentary on making it work. I can't find it right now (on mobile, at work), but I'm sure someone will know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 A couple of builds where the problem has been solved through different approaches. See how you get on with these. It seems doable. Steve. 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 39 minutes ago, Rob G said: a commentary on making it work @stevehnz has supplied some links above. My build did not have a specific commentary on it as it was just a matter of test-fitting, minor adjustment, test-fitting etc till you get it right. Basic modelling skills really. the Airfix kit builds up very nicely without any problems apart from the well-known engine-to-wing fitting difficulty. Initially, dry fitting before the wing was cemented showed no problems, but jubilation was short-lived as it presented the same problem everyone else has had once the wings were fully assembled. It’s a small blemish on an otherwise very nice kit. Quoted from here https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235082679-messerschmitt-me262-b-1a-airfix-kgj-54-trainer/ I think your opinion of Airfix is a minority one. The Swordfish is complex and certainly not for beginners but there are quite a few really good builds of it here on Britmodeller. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karearea Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 13 minutes ago, stevehnz said: See how you get on with these. I seems doable. Steve. Thanks for linking to the WIPs @stevehnz -I do think Adam did a far better job identifying and ameliorating the crux of the problem, so I would build up the wings his way next time. To go off-track, I’m a big fan of modern Airfix kits both in terms of variety and the level of detail vs. buildability. They do often require some problem solving but I like that part of building so don’t mind- I need all the behavioural enrichment I can get! The overall result possible from the 262 kit is worthwhile if you persevere. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 3 hours ago, Ed Russell said: Absolutely my opinion of Airfix is in the minority, because as I wrote, heaven help the heretic who dares criticise the Almighty! I'm hardly a beginner, and it's not that complex - maybe it is for you? What is annoying is the flash, the mismatched moulds, the parts that don't fit without modification, the wobbly edges of parts (I'm thinking of the fuselage halves in particular), the panel lines that not only rival Matchbox but disappear at the ends... The design is good, the way that they've set up the struts is great, but the execution is sorely lacking. For a modern kit, it's pants, those sorts of issues from a mainstream manufacturer shouldn't be seen these days, many short run kits are better. At least there's no short shots. I'm well able to sort the issues, but I (and anyone else, including those building the 262) shouldn't have to. I've seen many fantastic builds of it, and mine will be OK, but it's another 'missed it by thaaat much' attempt from Airfix. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Harmsworth Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 1 hour ago, Rob G said: Absolutely my opinion of Airfix is in the minority, Nothing wrong with having a minority opinion - happens almost everywhere. 1 hour ago, Rob G said: heaven help the heretic who dares criticise the Almighty! Really? Sounds like a nerve has been touched. For some reason I'm thinking of the Monty Python argument sketch. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 9 minutes ago, Mark Harmsworth said: For some reason I'm thinking of the Monty Python argument sketch. Good I didn’t tell him about the knife. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts