Hi guys

I'm working on Italeri"s DUKW. Not that bad of a kit so far. I do have one question. Is there any way to take the "air" out of plastic tires ? As some may know the DUKE was able to enflate or deflate its tires as needed. Is there a way to show this? Or should I just go for aftermarket tires.

Wolfsix

NOTE: I have not tried what I am about to suggest, it's all theory!

I see two ways to create the effect, possibly a third, without resorting to aftermarket tires...

1. Sand down the tread on the bottom of the tire, then heat the tire and press it into a flat surface covered in foil. This will create the illusion of the bulge created by the weight of the vehicle. Also, the tire deflation was a method of getting more surface area on soft sandy surfaces. This would be the appropriate setting for the DUKW to have the tires deflated.

2. don't sand the tires, just heat them and press them to the desired bulge.

3. Sand down the tires and use miliput or comparable modeling product to create the bulge.

Again this is theory. I know the third would work, it's the heating I'm not too sure about.

you could try heating a spoon turning it upside down and apply the tyre to it. Try not to get it too hot.

Rear wheel

front wheel

Close up rear wheel

Close up front wheel

rear wheel chassis points

Well at least you got some photos to make up the tire inflation system,
It was only used under certain conditions.
Normally the tires were kept at normal pressure, and it was only lowered to go across soft sand
(the lowest pressure) or soft earth or mud ( medium pressure)
So unless you are going to have it going across a sandy beach or soft earth, there is really no reason to soften the tires.

Dude....i'm building one of these myself...and in about a week I'll be doing the tires on mine and asking myself the same questions about the tires....weighted tire or full pressure / reduced tire pressure for moving on sandy beaches / or full pressure for traveling on those long rides though the French countryside on our way to wipeout the German Army...huh....thats a big question that we, as WW2 softskin modelers must decide as we delve into the world of the DUKW.


Personally, I don't think they did alot of road traveling once they landed at Normandy. So, why the heck would the kit manufacturer not include the weighted/deflated type looking tire in the first friggin place is beyond me. But that's another story, why a country that lost a major world war is producing most of the war models being built the rest of the planet ....kinda weird...

but, I digress... Try the heat and melt thingy then...or...just thow i the towel give up cause yer weak and go for the aftermarket tire set from south o'the border.

Better yet....if yer gonna try the heat and melt thing, buy a cheap kit of some type of truck with alot of tires and practice first.

And on a personal note...you have yet to post a photo in yer gallery, so, make this THE PROJECT you do with photos....if you don't have a camera, PUT DOWN YER GLUE AND KNIFE...STOP BUILDING!!! until you get a camera....or date someone with a camera....or steal a camera....or use the public library's scanner to scan your kit...ok...maybe i'm ranting....excuse me....

I would suggest you fill ( I don't know, silly putty or watered/packable fine grain sand... something that will pack tight but "give" when you apply pressure to the tire to form the buldge) the tires with something first to create some type of back pressure for when you "buldge"the tire....a litttle resistance is a good thing. Dont forget about the Microwave....i'ma gonna try that one ....also dipping the tire into boilling water for a few secs...or using a blowdryer....or just turn on an clothes iron and onnce you practiced the move, set the tires against the surface of the iron untill the desired efect is achieved.

When i get to this part of my build....by nxt week, i'll report back to you and the forum on how it goes....


goodluck

And don't stop at one DUKW...save yer money and only buy Shermans and DUKW's kits...Its a tank that has many variant and thousands of actual photo documented vehicles to go by and the other is a truck...boat...heck it's a wonderfull thing and more people should buy them and build them.


Kglack 43