Beaufighter Wheels
for Airfix kit

Eduard BRASSIN, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

Eduard Brassin’s 1/72 Beaufighter wheels will be available online from Squadron.com

Although intended for Airfix’s new tool Beaufighter TF.X, this wheel set will obviously suit any brand of 1/72 TF.X kit. It features twin-brake wheels with plain hubs and smooth-treaded tyres with a nicely weighted look.
For many Eduard is a brand name synonymous with superb quality, and this is certainly the case with the items reviewed here, from the packaging and instructions, to the actual components. The parts come packed in a clear blister pack with foam cushioning and include printed instructions.

The instructions are also downloadable in as a PDF from Eduard’s website, to view these please click here. The wheels are beautifully cast with have easily removable pouring-blocks. The inclusion of a paint-mask is a handy touch. Eduard’s CAD illustrations, my photo image of the actual parts, and the downloadable instructions should provide readers with almost all they need to about the contents.

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I had the new Airfix kit to hand, and so can show the improvement that the Brassin wheels offer over the kit parts.

This largely consists of better-detailed wheels hubs, some circumferential rubbing strips on the tyre sidewall, and of course a paint-mask. I have seen a few images with the circumferential strips present, but not as prominent as Brassin has made them.

I also had some Beaufighter TF.X wheels from Barracudacast; like Eduard, a company I hold in high esteem. I compared the Brassin wheels to an equivalent late-style wheel. Slight differences in hub interpretation are apparent, with the Barracuda hub being a bit ‘meatier’. The differences in smooth tyres are the more curved section to the crown of the Brassin tyres and their circumferential sidewall strips, whilst Barracudacast’s sidewalls are smooth other than the inclusion of tyre logos. I will let the reader judge which brand most resembles the real deal (albeit colourised) shown below:

Despite the subtle variations, I think most preferences will be driven by whether Eduard’s paint-mask is worth an extra US$2.00, or what is available with your preferred retailer.

These excellent quality Beaufighter TF.X wheels should enhance any suitable kit. I am happy to recommend them, as they appear to be excellent in all respects.

Thanks to Eduard for the samples and images.

Review Text & Black Background Images Copyright © 2016 by Mark Davies
Page Created 18 April, 2016
Last updated 18 April, 2016

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