How do I build missing Kit pieces?

[Guest]

Hey all! I'm relatively new to building and painting models and have been working on a 1:48 BF 109 F... painted JG 26 as it will be a very late Battle of Britain Aircraft... Dont worry my next plane is a Battle of Britain Spitfire Mk II!

Somewhere along the line I lost the two wheels from the kit. The landing gear is still there but not the tires.

I have racked my brain trying to figure out how to go about getting replacements. In fact the model is all but complete except for the tires. I dont want to order new pieces and dont have the artistic ability to do a whole lot... Any suggestions as to what I could do to replace them? Thanks guys.

Jim

[Guest]

Theres no simple answer to this unless you're a skilled styrene carver.

The easiest way would be to get another kit then do one wheels up, does the kit have a wheels retracted option, could you maybe use the 'typically' half wheels?

I would offer to look through the bits box but I know I don't have any wheels in 48th scale, possibly some in 72nd.

Another option would be if you could borrow a wheel then make a quick simple resin cast using halfords resin and some alginate from a craft store, but by the time you've bought those another kit may be as cheap?

[stona]

I think you'll have to cast some or buy some new ones. The Bf109F doesn't have fully enclose wheel wells so even "wheels up" you'll still need to have them.

Cheers

Steve

[wonwinglo]

Go to a florist and purchase a block of oasis,if you have one wheel to use as a pattern simply press this into the oasis to make the impression half way,next mix up some car auto filler ie P38 and lay in with a pallette knife skimming the surface so you have moulded one half of the wheel,repeat for the other side,smooth in some more P38 to join together and trim up with a small file,you can reproduce many lost parts this way and once painted you can hardly tell,give it a try and practise a little for excellent results.

Wonwinglo.