1:32 SPOKED WHEELS FOR WW1 GERMAN
AIRCRAFT
From the SPOKED WHEEL SHOP
Reviewed by James Fahey
Every now and then a new product
comes along that raises the bar to a whole new level. Think Master MG gun
barrels, Doug Craner’s wooden props, Costas’ turnbuckles. Now we have brilliant
spoked wheels from Steven Robson aka ‘The Spoked Wheel Shop’.
While
researching for this review I came across this telling quote from a modeller
expressing his frustration with spoked wheels:
“For many the spoked wheel has been and still is the nemesis
of World War I aircraft modelling”
Yes
there are various spoked wheels available, photo-etched are the most common
but their likeness to the real thing is only passable at best (in this
reviewer’s humble opinion). A very few modellers have mastered the art of
weaving their own but on a scale of difficulty this is probably close to “build
a model that doesn’t need spoked wheels”. It is exciting, therefore, to see
these new products come to market and reproduced so accurately.
About the Manufacturer
Steven Robson is from Adelaide, South Australia, and he
has been researching and developing his product for the last four years. He
quoted the document “Normalien Der lnspektion Der Flieqertruppen” Feb 1918 as
one of his primary references as well as a myriad of period
photos.
The Wheels
There are currently two sizes of German wheels available:
760x100 and 810x125 (outer diameter x tyre width) both with 40 spokes. Both
types have the same sized rim, only the tyre is differently sized.
Generally speaking, the smaller size was used by fighters: Albatros
D.II, D.III, D.V, D.Va; Fokker D.VII, Pfalz D.III, D.IIIa, D.XII; but also the
Hannover CLII and Halberstadt CL.II; and the larger size by two-seaters:
Albatros B.II, C.III, C.V, C.X, C.XII, D.III(OAW); Gotha G.IV, G.V; Roland C.II;
Rumpler C.I, C.III, C.IV, C.VII; DFW C.V to name a few.
Some German
aircraft used an even smaller size: 710x85 (Fokker E.I to E.III, DII, Dr.I,
E.V/D.VIII, Halberstadt CL.II, Siemens Schuckert). A larger 965x150 wheel was
used by German G type bombers.
Two options for spoke material are
offered: a specialist 0.14mm tri-layer filament from Japan which is a
graphite colour and 0.15mm steel alloy wires which are a
The wheel rims have been CAD
designed and lost-wax cast as a single piece in sterling silver. Over time
the silver will tarnish so it would be advisable to protect it with a clear
coat. Outside diameter is 17mm and the rim is 2mm wide. Hubs are brass with 2mm
outside diameter, flanges are 3mm OD. The spokes are virtually flat on one side
with a moderate cone on the outer side (although sometimes wheels were reversed
to widen the wheel travk and reduce the risk of ground loops). The wheels are
spoked under very high tension to maximise strength.
The wheels come with in-scale
black rubber ring tyres. Specifications: 17mm inside diameter, round
cross-section, 3mm width which makes the wheel 23mm in outside
diameter.
The wheels are quite strong enough
for the tyres to be removed if needed. It is quite feasible to use the kit tyres
instead, after carefully cutting away the wheel covers and hubs. In this way the
modeller can preserve the gorgeous finely detailed manufacturers’ mouldings that
Wingnut Wings have included.
A comparison with the Wingnut Wings
wheels shows they are exactly the same size as the Spoked Wheel Shop
items.
It should be pointed out that
uncovered wheels were relatively rare in the mid - late war period.
My search through photo references uncovered very few. Probably the
most documented is Ltn. Alois Heldman’s Fokker D.VII (Fok) from Jasta 10, the
marking for which are included in Wingnut Wings decal set #30006 Fighting
Fokkers part 1. The portside wheel is uncovered (and difficult to see
clearly in the WNW photo).
There is also a well-known
Fokker D.VII (Alb) 817/18 ‘Nikchen’flown by Fritz Blumenthal of Jasta 53, which
is one of the kit options in Wingnut Wings kit #32027. It also had one wheel
uncovered. Pfalz D.IIIa 8304/17 appears in Wingnut Wings decal set 30019 Flying
Circus Part 1 in a post war graveyard sans wheel covers (would make a great
diorama as it is in heavily worn and sans engine, wings and tailplane as
well).
An LVG 7715/18 is shown without
wheel covers in Albatros Production’ LVG at War on p9.
War-prize aircraft, trainers and post war aircraft seem to more
commonly have had uncovered wheels. Polish modellers will probably be very
interested.
Are the wheels suitable for other
aircraft? Probably not, depending on your need for historical accuracy.
Wheel sizes, cone depth, spoke numbers and patterns varied between
manufacturers and countries e.g. SE5a & RER8 used a 700x100 Palmer Cord Aero
Tyre; DH9 700x125; FE2b, Bristol F2B & DH4 used 750x125; Sopwith Pup, Camel,
Triplane Snipe, Dolphin, DH2 & DH5 used 700x75 with 60 spokes.
Instructions
The following notes come with the
wheels:
“Restore scratch rim patina with
1200 grain Wet & Dry sandpaper
Remove the tyre seam by weathering
with 240 grain Wet & Dry prior to fitting
Gtrim and hand drill the kit axle
to fit wheels or just replace the kit part with 2mm OD (1.1mmID) brass
tube
Use the kit tyres by making a donut
to fit your wheels
Weather the rim and hub with Liver
of Sulphur (Potassium Polysulfide) or oil paint was to darken.
Painting and Finishing
The wheels did not come with any
colouring guide but I understand Steven will be providing some suggestions
on the website.
Some finishing will be required to
the tyres as WW1-era aircraft tyres were almost never black - a fact
which is clear after looking at lots of period photos. German tyres often
looked quite pale due to the various fillers that were added to the natural
rubber (zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, china clay talc etc) to improve the
mechanical properties, especially durability. Black tyres came about with
the addition of carbon black but this only became widespread post - WW1.
A light buff or grey is usual, perhaps with pinkish tones.
In correspondence with Steven he
said used Conte powders (greys, whites & dirt browns) applied in layers
after roughing up the tyres with sandpaper. This takes the hard black edge
off the rubber and makes them look quite grey and weathered. He fixes the
Conte powder between layers and for finishing with a mist of matt varnish.
He noted that painting the rubber tyre may not be successful without some
sort of stiffening finish (thin CA which is then sanded).
Availability
The Spoked Wheel Shop has a web
presence here at http://www.ww1aircraftmodels.com/forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?board=53.0
And is due to open on 1
Jul-13, after which time orders may be placed by sending Steven a personal
message on this forum.
Price
The wheels are offered for sale at
Australian $100 per set plus postage. The price is pitched at the end of
the WW1 modelling market that is prepared to pay for the finest quality and who
are not constrained by budget. Value for money? This is a very
subjective question and will vary considerably between modellers, depending on
finances, modelling ability and the value put on convenience. These wheels
are clearly not a mass market product.
Shipping
Orders will be posted by registered
airmail and charged at cost. Payment is by PayPal only. The review
items came beautifully packaged with each wheel in a protective pocket and each
pair placed inside a lidded plastic box.
Future plans
Different types of spoked wheels
are likely to follow with the next probably the 710 x 85 for the Fokker
Eindecker and Dr.1.
References
WW1 Aero #163 Peter Grosz published
some original Idflieg documents (Feb-18) about German wheels
(pp. 44-46)
WW1 Aero #145 also has wheel
information.
These wheels are exquisite. They are a labour
of love from a skilled craftsman who is passionate about quality. They will add
that super detailed touch that gives the ‘WOW’ factor. Yes they are expensive
and relatively few modellers will want to afford them. The choice is
yours.
Thanks to Steven Robson for
providing these samples for review.