M1117 Guardian Road Wheels
1:35 Scale Comparison
Review by Terry Ashley

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The M1117 Guardian ASV kit released recently by Trumpeter (kit #01541) seems to have attracted a large number of etched metal and resin update/accessory sets from various companies; among them are several sets of resin wheels to replace the kit vinyl wheels.

This review will look at three resin wheels sets currently available from Blast Models, ET Model and Voyager Models with Real Model also indicating they will have a set available shortly and as all three sets are for the same kit we’ll look at these together highlighting any differences and issues along the way.

All three sets are simply resin reproductions of the kit wheels/rims with two (ET Model and Voyager) including etched parts for the rim discs while the Blast Model set utilizes the kit disc parts. Dimensionally all three wheel diameters match the 1:35 M1117 drawings in the Wings & Wheels book with only minor discrepancies but I personally have my doubts with these as the kit hull is about 2mm shorter than the drawing hull as well as other minor discrepancies. Also visually the kit wheels and hence all three sets of resin wheels appear to be slightly undersized in diameter when compared to the photos in the W&W book. But as I don’t have any other plans to verify this we’ll have to take this at face value for now.

This set has just the four wheels in light cream resin with quite small casting stubs to trim and as mentioned are resin reproductions of the kit vinyl tyres that includes all the sidewall embossing. Also included in the castings is the kit wheel rims/hubs (parts A41, A42) and rear mounting hub (part A20). Some of the moulding seams on the vinyl tyres has been removed but some is still present, at least it is easier to remove from the resin tyres than the vinyl tyres.

The only detail addition is the tyre inflation piping as well as very subtle bulging to the sidewalls at ground contact with you using the kit wheel disc insets (parts A36) but there is a major casting flaw on the inside of the wheels. The placement of the kit inner hub (part A20) has appeared to slip prior to casting and is at an angle resulting in a deformed casting that will see the wheel sit at an angle when fitted to the kit axles. All four wheels in my set have the same casting flaw and I can only assume others will as well from this batch of castings.

Front and back views of the wheels and an image showing the rear side rim distortion

Fitting the wheels to the kit axle stubs would normally be straightforward but some additional work will be needed due to the casting flaw.

This set also has the four wheels in cream resin with small casting stubs to trim and a sheet of etched brass and again are resin reproductions of the kit vinyl tyres that includes all the sidewall embossing. Also included in the castings is the kit wheel rims/hubs (parts A41, A42) and rear mounting hub (part A20). The moulding seams from the vinyl tyres have been removed completely making for cleanly rendered tyre tread.

Additional detail included the tyre inflation piping as well as weight induced bulging to the sidewalls at ground contact. Images of the actual M1117 Michelin wheels do show some bulging and these wheels replicate this effect but it seems a little excessive on the inner side, not that will be that noticeable on the model.

The other addition is the wheel discs supplied in etched brass with 24 small brass bolt heads to add to the discs. The five mounting posts have to be made from 1.0mm plastic rod (not supplied) and these etched discs do give a better appearance than the thicker plastic kit parts.

There are a few moulding flaws with some rippling around the inner side tyre rim join as well as some slight differences in the gap between the tyre and wheel rims which is a symptom common to vinyl tyres use in kits and this has been reproduced in the resin wheels.

Fitting the wheels to the kit is very straightforward due to the use of the kit rims and mountings in the castings.

This set is also a straight reproduction of the kit wheels with the associated sidewall embossing but only includes the two rim sections (parts A41, A42) in the castings; you add the kit inner rim (part A20) to the resin wheels for fitting to the kit. The casting stubs have already been broken off leaving just a very small trim job where they once were.

The only addition is the wheel discs supplied in etched brass with small brass bolt heads to add to the discs. The five mounting posts have to be made from 1.0mm plastic rod (not supplied) and these etched discs do give a better appearance than the thicker plastic kit parts.

The moulding seams from the vinyl tyres are still there between the tread but at least it’s easier to remove from the resin than the original vinyl tyres. There is no distortion between the rims and tyres on the outer side and only slight gaps on the inner side.

Fitting the wheels to the kit is trouble free due to you fitting the kit inner rim to the resin wheels for fitting.

As mentioned all three sets are resin reproductions of the kit wheels with basically the same detail other than the added inflation piping on the Blast and ET Model wheels and the replacement brass wheel discs on the ET and Voyager sets.

The Voyager set has the least amount of distortion between the tyres and rims with the ET Models set including tyre bulging while the quite severe distortion on the back of the Blast Models wheels leave them at a distinct disadvantage over the other sets.

There’s not a lot else between them but the best thing is the resin is far easier to work with and paint than that annoying vinyl that manufacturers still insist on using in their kits.

My personal preference leans towards the ET Models set followed by the Voyager Models and lastly the Blast Models set due to the casting distortions, but as mentioned there’s not a lot in it.

Guardian in detail Wings & Wheels Publications