Question on the KV-1 Roadwheels

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I build mostly aircraft, but have been fooling around with the Tamiya 1/48 Armor kits. I’m currently building the Tamiya 1/48 KV-1 & the painting instructions show the outer rims of the roadwheels painted black, which indicates rubber treads. I’m no expert by any means, but I thought the KV-1 had all steel wheels. Am I all wet & if not, what would be the most appropriate way to paint the roadwheels ?

Thanks for any help.

Regards, Rick

2

…no rubber on them…what you need to consider is what color the steel would be after contacting the tracks for numerous hours under tons of pressure…most people go with a heavily worn metal color (sort of looks like dark graphite)…there would be no rust as the contact of metal to metal would polish it off…

3

After I’ve painted a steel road wheel, I often use a regular pencil to color the outer edge of the road wheel to simulate the metal wear.

4

That’s what I thought. I’ve learned the hard way to be wary of kit painting instructions.

Thanks for the help guys [tup].

Regards, Rick