The master patterns were created by Gerry Mos and, as you'd expect from Barracuda Studios, the detail is superb and the casting in the sample sets is flawless. The wheels arrive mounted on casting blocks and removing these will leave a slight "flat" to give a realistic sit to the finished model like a weighted wheel. 

The wheels feature crisp detail, and the impressive thing is that it's all reproduced in both scales, so even the tiny maker's text on the sidewalls is present on the 1:72 parts.

The three types offered are:

Spitfire Mk. I - IX Five Slot Mainwheels (plain tyres) - BR72452 & BR48445

Spitfire Five Slot Z-Block Mainwheels (treaded) - BR72453 & BR48446

Spitfire Mk. I - IX Five Slot Covered Mainwheels (plain tyres) - BR72454 & BR48447

Conclusion

Barracuda's new Spitfire mainwheels are beautifully produced and will be a major improvement over standard styrene parts in 1:72 and 1:48 kits. For me it's particularly welcome to see the wheels with covered hubs included in the range, because that option is seldom if ever offered in kits.

The Spitfire wheel sets are available now from Barracuda Studios:

1:72 sets - Price: $5.95 each

1:48 sets - Price: $8.95 each

Many thanks to Barracuda Studios for the review samples.

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