Alaska Tundra Tyres in 1/48 31 or 35inch diameter....Oh, and strut options. Please help as I know nothing....

[SleeperService]

Hi Everybody. Been on BM for a while but I think this is my first time here. 

I'd like to build a Piper Super Cub with the large Tundra wheels in 1/48 as seen in the photo of N329DP seen HERE I believe these are the 35" size. Can anybody advise on availability of these or how I might reproduce them please.

Can I also ask what you'd suggest for strut material. I was told about Strutz or Struts brass strut material but I can't find any trace of it. I'm looking for sizes up to float struts in 1/48 and 1/32.

 

Any help and suggestions gratefully received, I know military stuff but have developed an interest in civilian lightweights recently, now I realise that I need to work out and ask about stuff I don't know at all.

 

May you avoid glue fingerprints on your ready for paint masterpieces. Thx.  

[terryn]

Well if you know nothing then you know more than me......

 

If we are thinking about the same thing then the only ones I've even seen are on a version of the Revell 1/32 Kit where they call them Bushwheels.  They don't look that complicated and could possibly be easily designed in CAD and 3D printed bit not by me just yet.  I'm still learning CAD and don't have a printer yet.

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-04890-piper-pa-18-with-bushwheels--261436

 

Terry

 

[Pete in Lincs]

How about tyres meant for RC Aircraft?

Or wheels from a 1/32 kit? Or maybe a 48th Bomber? If you buy resin aftermarket ones you could grind away any chunky treads. 

[TEXANTOMCAT]

How about having a look at some rubber  ‘o’ rings. I’ve used tiny ones on 1/200 stuff, if you get some big uns they may do the job. Cheap as chips, easy to find online 

 

TT

Edited June 11 by TEXANTOMCAT

[wellsprop]

On 11/06/2025 at 11:42, terryn said:

 They don't look that complicated and could possibly be easily designed in CAD and 3D printed

 

Yep

[SleeperService]

On 6/11/2025 at 11:42 AM, terryn said:

Well if you know nothing then you know more than me......

 

If we are thinking about the same thing then the only ones I've even seen are on a version of the Revell 1/32 Kit where they call them Bushwheels.  They don't look that complicated and could possibly be easily designed in CAD and 3D printed bit not by me just yet.  I'm still learning CAD and don't have a printer yet.

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-04890-piper-pa-18-with-bushwheels--261436

 

Terry

 

 

Those are the ones I'm after but in the larger 35" diameter ideally. Been looking at plenty of photos that my mate has found being a fan of Alaskan Aviation. 

Good luck with the CAD learning, I've tried myself but I struggle with it so much that I think my brain just isn't wired for it. 

 

On 6/11/2025 at 12:54 PM, Pete in Lincs said:

How about tyres meant for RC Aircraft?

Or wheels from a 1/32 kit? Or maybe a 48th Bomber? If you buy resin aftermarket ones you could grind away any chunky treads. 

 

That's a good solution I'll look into r/c wheels when I go into town next where there's a large store which carries such stuff. I've found some info on the common sizes fitted so I can start to go through resin options, or possibly styrene ones that someone has replaced once I know what I need.  

18 hours ago, TEXANTOMCAT said:

How about having a look at some rubber  ‘o’ rings. I’ve used tiny ones on 1/200 stuff, if you get some big uns they may do the job. Cheap as chips, easy to find online 

 

TT

 

I'm kicking myself for not thinking of 'O' rings. Now I know the sizes of the tyres I will start looking. 

1 hour ago, wellsprop said:

 

Yep

 

That's easy for the Master of 3D design and print to say.

 

Thank You all for the suggestions and I'll feed back the options I discover so others may benefit from your wisdom.