1:72 Heinkel He-177 - Wheels Set (for Revell Kits / 3D-Printed)

Heinkel He 177 – Wheel Set (1:72, 77propeller)

An accessory, not an aircraft model. The set contains 3D-printed resin replacement main landing gear wheels for the Heinkel He 177 in 1:72 scale and is intended for plastic kits of this bomber from Revell. 3D printing allows for a sharper tread pattern and finer hub detail than a two-piece plastic casting can achieve — and there is no seam down the middle of the tire to clean up. The set is made by 77propeller, a specialist in 3D-printed accessories.

The real subject

The Heinkel He 177 Greif was a German heavy bomber of the Second World War. A special feature of the aircraft was its powerplant: each engine nacelle housed two coupled engines driving a single propeller, which visually makes it look like a twin-engine type. It was exactly this arrangement that caused persistent overheating problems and engine fires. The rugged main landing gear carried a considerable takeoff weight, so the wheels are one of the visually prominent details on a model.

Use, fitting and painting

• Wash the parts in lukewarm water with dish soap — this removes residue of uncured print resin.
• Cut off the print supports with a sharp scalpel or a fine saw; 3D-printed material is brittle, so never snap it off.
• Lightly sand off the support marks — always with respiratory protection, ideally wet.
• Glue with cyanoacrylate glue; plastic cement does not bond with resin.
• If the wheels have an indicated flat spot (the tire settling under the aircraft's weight), fit them so the flat area sits flush on the ground — otherwise the model looks like it is standing on its edge.
• Paint the tire dark gray, not pure black; mask the hub and finish it off with pigments and a light dusty tint.

Who the set is for

For modelers building the He 177 in 1:72 scale from Revell who want to quickly upgrade one of the most visible details on the model. Working with 3D-printed resin calls for care and cyanoacrylate glue, but otherwise fitting is straightforward.

The accessory is supplied unpainted. The base kit, paints and glue are not included in the package. Wear a respirator and work in a ventilated area when sanding resin.