DEF.Model Wheel Sets RoundupReviewed by Brett Green Summary
FirstLook Item No. DW35014 – JGSDF LAV 4x4 Wheel Set Sagged for Tamiya KitItem No. DW35149 – Pink Panther SAS Desert Car Sagged Wheels Set for Tamiya / Italeri KitsDEF Model has sent along two 1:35 scale resin wheel replacement sets.
The first is a set of four wheels for the Tamiya JGSDF LAV 4x4 Wheel Set. The kit supplies plastic wheel hubs and vinyl tyres. Raised “Bridgestone” lettering is cast onto the tyre sidewalls and the tread pattern is crisply recessed. The next set of wheels is designed for Tamiya’s or Italeri’s 1:35 scale Pink Panther Land Rover.
Tamiya’s kit wheels are injection moulded plastic and the DEF wheels look very crisp and detailed in comparison. The kit wheels are supplied as inner and outer halves, so the one-piece replacement wheels will eliminate any centerline join and seam lines. Separate parts are supplied for the inner section of the wheel hubs. Different parts are offered for the Tamiya and Italeri kits.
The tyres in both sets are subtly bulged and flattened, and casting quality is perfect. Self-adhesive die-cut masks are offered to make painting easier. You may choose to use the masks to either paint the tyre first or the wheel hub first.
1:48 SCALE: Item No. DW48009 – US M1240A1 M-ATV Sagged Wheel Set for RFM KitItem No. DW48010 – British Austin K2 Truck Sagged Wheel Set 1 (Dunlop) for Tamiya KitItem No. DW48011 – British Austin K2 Truck Sagged Wheel Set 2 (Indix) for Tamiya KitNext up are three resin 1:48 scale wheel replacement sets.
The first is a five-wheel (including spare) US M1240A1 M-ATV Sagged Wheel Set for the RFM kit. The wheels are marked A, B and S, so you won’t get the directions of rotation or the spare tyre mixed up!
As with all the DEF Model tyres reviewed here, detail is crisp and convincing. These will be a welcome upgrade for anyone building the 1:48 scale RFM Oshkosh.
DEF Model has also released two wheel sets for the Tamiya 1:48 scale Austin K2 Truck. One of these supplies Dunlop tyres and the second set is for India tyres. Once again, the tyres are subtly bulged and flattened.
All of these replacement wheel releases are produced to the highest standard and should be a pleasure to use.
Highly Recommended Thanks to DEF Model for the sample www.defmodel.com
Text and Images by Brett Green |