Spoked Wheels

Lightweight Spoked Wheels

for early flying machines

After a year of research and development, the materials used in these spoked wheels have been changed. The rim/tire is now a resin part, significantly lightened to reduce weight as much as possible. This was changed in order to provide a finished part with a much smoother surface, and better detail than could be achieved with balsa. The rest of the construction has remained the same. Aluminium for the hubs and tinted monofilament spokes, holding them all together. All wheels are now furnished painted, with aluminium rims and black wheels. For projects needing natural tan colored tires, it is a simple task for modelers to repaint them to suit.
Shown above are 3/4", 1 1/8", and 1 1/2" examples

Surprisingly strong, they are also extremely light weight. Indeed, despite the better detail and painted finish, they are only slightly heavier than the previous unfinished balsa wheels. Recent production averaged the following weights.

Diameter 3/4" 7/8" 1" 1 1/8" 1 1/4" 1 3/8" 1 1/2"

grams/pair 0.4 0.6 0.75 1.3 1.5 2.2 2.4

Peck Polymers has gotten behind my efforts and is carrying the wheels as part of their extensive inventory. If you don't have a current copy of their catalog, send for it. I am always amazed by their catalog, and continue to learn more as I read it. Their 1998 edition is hot off the presses and chock full of goodies for Free Flight and RC modelers. Though too late to make this catalog, Peck Polymers now has these wheels in all seven sizes.
For another view of the wheels, check out Dave Rees's Plage Torpedo Monoplane. It is the first model to feature the new resin wheels in photographs. Unfortunately, this fine model flew O.O.S. at the 1998 F.A.C. Nationals.

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