B-1B Main and Nose Wheel Set

Published on
November 14, 2015
Review Author(s)
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$27.50
Product / Stock #
BR48238
Base Kit
Revell
Company: Barracuda Studios - Website: Visit Site
Provided by: Barracuda Studios - Website: Visit Site
Product Picture

Roy Sutherland has been around for a bit, providing resin details we never knew could exist, but now do because of his commitment to improving basic products. This set is one of four that I used on the new (but old) Revell B-1B… they are in Roy’s “Barracudacast” resin accessories branch of his company. On to the review!

This set is comprised of eight Main wheel and tire assemblies, and two Nose wheel and tire assemblies for the B-1B. Sidewall letterngdetail is provided, and the tread is fantastic and deep like the actual high-speed radials used on the Bone. The original release of this kit back in 1983 contained styrene wheels with rubber tires. We know how well that works over time… so did Revell… so about 10 years or so ago, a couple of re-releases before this one, a set of styrene tire halves were provided to replace the rubber versions. Problem was, they weren’t accurate, being more balloon-like with almost no tread. Sometimes ya can’t win as a manufacturer.

Enter Roy’s wheel and tire shop…

Preparation is simple; soak for a while in a cleaner like automotive spray tire cleaner (I used “bleach-white”), 409, or whatever, to get rid of the silicone mold lubricant that is inherent in resin casting. Run an old tooth brush over all, rinse fully with water, then allow to dry.

I removed the casting blocks with a razor saw, then cleaned up with a metal “T” sander bar to give a nice, flat surface for the tires.

I painted the tires Flat duplicolor primer black; then masked using the Barracudacast masks provided in the set, and burnished the edges down around the wheel rims. Flat white Tamiya Primer was next, then Duplicolor Gloss white to finish.

Remove the masks, touch up, then paint the red tire slip markings on the sidewalls. I used a finger to give a realistic sheen to the tires (not glossy, just a rubbery sheen), then it was time to install.

I used (and recommend use of) the SAC gear for this build; there is plenty of weight to go around, and the resin add-ons don’t help matters. Use brass tubing for the axles, and drill the wheel bosses to accept the axles. Fit into place, superglue, then run the four wheels over your large T sander to ensure the tires will have a better chance to sit flat on the tarmac.

These wheels look much better than the kit items; Full marks to Roy for this set… remember to support our aftermarket producers!

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