Aires has release a number of resin detail parts for Macchi WWII fighters in 1/48 scale. Among them is a set of wheels (with paint masks) for the Macchi C.202/205. The wheels are molded in the familiar medium density gray resin that Aires uses and they come on a common casting block. The wheels can be removed easily from the casting block with an x-acto knife or a small saw blade. The detail is crisp, delicate and convincing. No clean up is required and there are no pinholes to worry about. If care is exercised when removing the wheels from the casting block, the subtle tread pattern can be preserved.

The paint masks are a bit rigid and do not actually conform to the deep radius of the tire sidewall near the wheel hub. However, they do a good job of protecting the tires (that the instructions will have you paint first) before you airbrush color on the hubs.

The samples were painted with Gunze Mr. Colors and a little oil wash was applied to enhance the wheel hub detail and the tire tread, followed by a light coat of Dullcoat. I was very pleased with the results.

These wheels are highly recommended to anyone building a 1/48 Macchi C.202/205.

My thanks to IPMS/USA and Aires Hobby Models for the opportunity to review these little gems.