Introduction:
RPG Model released their first KAMAZ K-4386Typhoon-VDV kit in 1/35 scale in 2021. Since then, the company produced several iterations of the same vehicle, with at least one more in the current pipeline.
DEF Model recently released a set of resin replacement wheels for RPG kit, designed as a direct replacement for the vinyl tires supplied in the kit: Russian K-4386Typhoon-VDV Sagged Wheel Set (DW35136).
Review:
The set comes in a hard cardboard box, with the box art image showing the contents of the set.
Opening the box I found a zip-lock bag with the resin pieces, pre-cut masking paper and a masking instruction sheet.
Upon closer inspection, the resin pieces look very impressive. The cast is excellent and I found no imperfections in the resin whatsoever. The level of details is outstanding with the details nicely defined and superbly delivered. The carrier blocks are large but very easy to remove: a pair of side cutters and a sharp modeling blade should do the trick nicely. Since the blocks are located on the tire ground contact, no detail on the tire tread pattern or sidewall is lost after cleaning the pieces.
Check out the detail!
The set depicts Michelin XZL+ 14.00R20 tire. The all-terrain radial XZL tire is designed for special service in extremely demanding applications, with dimensions of 1258 x 386 mm (49.5 x 15.2 in) and the approved rim width of 254 mm (10 in). The tire features non-directional tread with open shoulder design.
(photos from https://www.vitalykuzmin.net)
Comparing the 1/35 scale offering from DEF Model to the reference photos, I found an excellent match. The non-directional tire tread pattern is faithfully reproduced, the sidewall detail looks great with amazingly sharp MICHELIN (check out the Michelin Man logo!) and 14.00R20 XZL+labels, as well as several microscopic inscriptions superbly defined. The bolt pattern on the rim is correctly delivered, together with Central Tire Inflating System (CTIS) cap. The hub looks good with another set of bolts and the center hub details are wonderfully delivered as well. With the dimensions of 35.95 x11.00 mm, the tires in this set are accurately sized in 1/35 scale.
The set includes two slightly different wheels, labeled on the carrier blocks as A or B. These two wheel variants are oriented differently, both the hub as well as the compression where the tire contacts the ground. This ensures the wheels don’t look identical when fixed to the same side of the vehicle.
Comparing the tires in the DEF Model set and the vinyl tires supplied in the RPG Model kit show how superior the DEF Model resin wheels really are. First, DEF Model wheels have correctly oriented tire tread pattern, unlike RPG Model tire tread, which is a mirror image of the real thing.
DEF Model wheels are more accurately sized than their RPG Model counterparts, which are a bit small in diameter but large in width (35,50 x 11,90 mm).
The details on the resin wheels are clear and sharp, defined far better than details on vinyl tires. Finally, the resin wheels in DEF Model’s set are depicted with a slight sag, conveying the weight of the vehicle really well, which is something the vinyl tires lack.
Fitting the wheels:
DEF Model wheels are designed as direct replacement for the kit vinyl tires/plastic hubs. Test fitting the wheels to the RPG kit (parts Ec13/Ec14) reveals a perfect match, as the axle stub fits well into the central inner hub opening. The process is very easy and straightforward.
Wheel masks:
Two identical pre-cut masking sheets are included in this kit. The masks are of help when painting the wheels, allowing airbrushing without overspray. Also included is the instruction leaflet which shows two different ways of applying the masks and painting the wheels.
Conclusion:
Russian K-4386Typhoon-VDV Sagged Wheel Set (DW35136) from DEF Model delivers 4 resin replacement wheels, designed to upgrade RPG Model’s Typhoon-VDV 1/35 scale kit. Cast to perfection, these resin wheels are far superior to the vinyl tires supplied with the kit… from the correctly oriented tire tread pattern and accurate size of the tire, to exceptionally defined details and realistically depicted tire sag, DEF Model set provides an essential upgrade for anyone building the RPG Model kit.
Highly recommended.
A big thanks to DEF Model for this review sample.