SPA Modeler

Hi All,

I've been working on the landing gear for my 262 over the past week. Am I right in thinking that German WWII aircraft tyres were not black, but rather a middle grey (ish) colour?

Cheers!

I’d use something like Tamiya Rubber Black or NATO Black. Or mix up some dark gray with flat black if you can’t get those Tamiya colors.

On this link there are some wartime color photos of a 262, and the tires there are an “off black” shade.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/hypersc ... 77897.html

Stikpusher wrote:I’d use something like Tamiya Rubber Black or NATO Black. Or mix up some dark gray with flat black if you can’t get those Tamiya colors.

On this link there are some wartime color photos of a 262, and the tires there are an “off black” shade.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/hypersc ... 77897.html

Thanks Carlos - darn I think mine may be a tad too grey.

Stuart, you can always throw a wash of black over them to darken up the tires.

Stikpusher wrote:Stuart, you can always throw a wash of black over them to darken up the tires.

Good point - I'll post some pic's of them when I get home from work - see what you guys think.

Somewhere between the wars manufacturers started to add ash to the rubber to tint the tires. Some examples I've seen in museums from WWII are not that black like they're today. Back then I thought this might be caused by aging of the material. But now I think this has its origin in the rubber receipt. So I'd go with a dark grey or mid-to-dark grey instead of black.

Thanks - that's useful to know.

This is what I have now (bits to touch up not withstanding!)

I know that cameras make a lot of weird things with small contrasts like these, but I like what I see here on my screen.

Or buy Akan brand Tire black. That’s what I use and it looks good. Not too black, not too grey. Linden Hill Imports carries them.

https://www.lindenhillimports.com

Vallejo has a nice tire black. Been using it for years and works very well