1:35 PaK38 - Road Wheels (Continental)

The real subject

The PaK 38 of 5 cm caliber was a German anti-tank gun of the first half of the Second World War. It is a towed gun on a two-wheeled split-trail carriage, so the wheels carry the whole weight of the weapon while it is being moved. On a model they are impossible to miss: they stand free at the sides of the shield, nothing covers them and the viewer sees them from immediate proximity.

What the package offers

Replacement road wheels in the version that the name sets apart with the word Continental, that is by the pattern of the tire. The finished part brings a distinct definition of the tread and a clean transition between the tire and the rim, which are exactly the places where the difference from the part from a kit shows at this scale. Check against photographs of the particular gun whether yours had this pattern.

Building and painting tips

If the parts are not polystyrene, they are joined with super glue, or with two-part epoxy resin on larger mating surfaces. Cut excess material and traces of manufacture away with a sharp blade a little clear of the part and sand the remainder off without damaging the definition of the tread. Before painting, wash the wheels in lukewarm water with detergent and degrease them. Paint the tire and the rim separately; the tire should not be coal black, as a dark gray tone with dust settled in the pattern looks more convincing. Finally check that both wheels stand parallel and sit down on the surface.

Terms of supply

The package holds the parts according to the name of the item. Bring your own gun model, glue, paints and tools, unless stated otherwise. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the detailed procedure of preparing the parts.