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In-Box Review
132
Scale Spoked Wheels
A vintage look for your vintage builds
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by: Stephen T. Lawson [ JACKFLASH ]

History
The rims of wire wheels, wire-spoked wheels, or tension-spoked wheels are connected to their hubs by wire spokes. Although these wires are generally stiffer than a typical wire rope, they function mechanically the same as tensioned flexible wires, keeping the rim true while supporting applied loads. The wheels have been called "suspension" wheels. This is not to be confused with the more common term vehicle suspension.

Wire wheels are used on most bicycles and still used on many motorcycles. They were invented by aeronautical engineer George Cayley in 1808 and first used in bicycles by James Starley.

Bicycle wheels were not strong enough for cars until the development of tangentially spoked wheels. They rapidly became well established in the bicycle and motor tricycle world but were not common on cars until around 1907. This was encouraged by the Rudge-Whitworth patented detachable and interchangeable wheels designed by John Pugh. These wheels owed their resistance to braking and accelerative stresses to their two inner rows of tangential spokes. An outer row of radial spokes gave lateral strength against cornering strains. These wheels were deeply dished so that steering pivot pins might lie as near as possible to the center-line of the tires. Their second feature was that they were easily detachable being mounted on splined false hubs. A process of assembling wire wheels is described as “wheelbuilding". The components of a wire wheel are the rims, spokes, nipples and hub. (Some text edited from wikipedia.)

Set Contents
My sets for the 1:32 Nieuport 28 "tri-spoked" wheels contained two completed wheels (the rims, spokes, PE nipples, reinforcing rims for covers and hubs). Also two sets of additional tyres. Black rubber on the rims, white (natural rubber without carbon black) and grey resin with some tread.

Also I received a completed set of 1:32 Fokker type cross-spoked wheels. There are some distortion in the rubber tyres but it is very minor.

With multiple tyre choices for the rims it is inherent that you can change them out to better fit the profile of your build. Being gentle and working carefully to pull off the set on the rims and change them out is relatively easily. I include here images of my experience.

When contacting manufacturers and publishers PLEASE mention you saw this review at AEROSCALE
SUMMARY
Highs: Easily installed, detailed, proportionate and good options for types of tyres.
Lows: You must paint the rims, spokes, nipples and hubs for uniform appearance.
Verdict: My review samples were excellent! Though the costs may seem a bit high they are worth it.
  DESIGN & DETAIL:95%
  SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS:95%
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:32
  Mfg. ID: Depends on item ordered
  Suggested Retail: $24.95 - 26.95
  Related Link: Webpage
  PUBLISHED: Sep 25, 2013
  NATIONALITY: France
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.97%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 95.00%

Our Thanks to Scalespoke Wheels!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Stephen T. Lawson (JackFlash)
FROM: COLORADO, UNITED STATES

I was building Off topic jet age kits at the age of 7. I remember building my first WWI kit way back in 1964-5 at the age of 8-9. Hundreds of 1/72 scale Revell and Airfix kits later my eyes started to change and I wanted to do more detail. With the advent of DML / Dragon and Eduard I sold off my ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Stephen T. Lawson [ JACKFLASH ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

BEAUTIFULLY reproduced wheel sets, and I for one DO NOT think they are anywhere NEAR being too pricey...!! Many modelers complain about the price of "stuff" in this hobby, and I have to wonder just EXACTLY WHAT IS the "right" price for well made, small, highly detailed kits...? There ARE over-priced items out there, but geez, it seems I come to my favorite sites every night and always find SOMEONE belly aching about the price. I get the feeling there are a LOT of tight fisted folks out there, that think these things grow on trees, and only need to be picked and boxed...! Rant over. Actually not a rant, just an observation.
SEP 25, 2013 - 01:44 PM
Hi there The wheels themselves look exquisite, and it's a very neat idea to include the alternative styles of tyres. I agree with Laurie that they are excellent value considering the work that must go into producing them. All the best Rowan
SEP 25, 2013 - 07:43 PM
If memory serves I stated; "Verdict: My review samples were excellent! Though the costs may seem a bit high they are worth it." We are talking about wheels not an entire "kit" as you say. So "parts" or "sets" is a better choice of words. Also using all caps in words online is considered yelling or shouting. It just reads better without them and can easily be seen as just an observation, not a rant.
SEP 27, 2013 - 01:19 PM
   
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