RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Hello guys.

I've been in awe with Eric's (Ecam) DUKW, then I saw some in real life and my son bought the venerable Airfix DUKW kit that I built with him (brought back some memories as I built this same kit as a kid).
A decade or more ago I bought the Italeri DUKW kit as reference to build one better than the one my grandpa made for me in sheet metal when I was a kid. But the project stopped there.

But the bug hit me again so let's try to build one ! I had one condition : get accurate tires for that, I had a plan in mind but I had to know if the result was good enough.

Today, I've been able to pull my first rubber DUKW tire and, while not perfect, it's beyond my expectations.

I modeled it in 3D :
Then I 3D printed the parts so I could mold them (this is a 2-parts mold) :
RTV is poured and mold is created :
First pull :

Once again I used photogrammetry (like a laser scan of a real DUKW) as reference to 3D model on in 3D. I'll made plans out of this 3D model to make the model in styrene, with some 3D printed parts.

The rough 3D model so far :
Unfortunatly the HL WPL truck axles are too wide for it so I will have to scratchbuild my own.

I won't be able to start this project until late July though, the time I get back from holidays and I get all the parts in hand.

Tires look amazing. Even pulled out my reference books and you nailed the markings on the tires! This build is going to be a stunner.

MonsieurTox: you are such a magician. Those tires are great, and I am wondering for what other vehicles they might be suited. You note that your son "bought the venerable Airfix DUKW" that your have the Italeri DUKW kit and that your own grandfather made [a DUKW] for [you] in sheet metal." Are there any photos of any of the three? I would enjoy seeing them and I believe they would be appropriate to this thread here.

Herr Dr. Professor wrote: ↑Fri Jun 28, 2024 10:43 pm MonsieurTox: you are such a magician. Those tires are great, and I am wondering for what other vehicles they might be suited.

In my research they were kind of unique to the DUKW. The CCKW used a different size. It is possible they were used on larger trucks....

But those molds are outstanding and could open up new possibilities for future builds. I really like the fact they are rubber.

Herr Dr. Professor wrote: ↑Fri Jun 28, 2024 10:43 pm MonsieurTox: you are such a magician. Those tires are great, and I am wondering for what other vehicles they might be suited. You note that your son "bought the venerable Airfix DUKW" that your have the Italeri DUKW kit and that your own grandfather made [a DUKW] for [you] in sheet metal." Are there any photos of any of the three? I would enjoy seeing them and I believe they would be appropriate to this thread here.

Ecam wrote: ↑Sat Jun 29, 2024 2:45 am

Herr Dr. Professor wrote: ↑Fri Jun 28, 2024 10:43 pm MonsieurTox: you are such a magician. Those tires are great, and I am wondering for what other vehicles they might be suited.

In my research they were kind of unique to the DUKW. The CCKW used a different size. It is possible they were used on larger trucks....

But those molds are outstanding and could open up new possibilities for future builds. I really like the fact they are rubber.

Thank you guys,

I didn't bring the metal Dukw when I moved from my parent's place years ago, last time I asked my father he said he doesn't recall having seen it. I'll check myself because I really would like to get it.
The Italeri kit is not interesting to see, only the hull is built (and now broken) with all the holes filled with Blu tack, I probably tried to see how it was floating in the sink!
I'll take a pic of the Airfix kit my son finished last week.

Like Eric I haven't found any evidence this very kind of tires was used on other vehicles.

But everything can be done, materials to make them are not really cheap (and once opened you have to use the urethane rubber within a few weeks, you can't store it longer). Though I think that is worth it. Tires are as important as tracks for the look afterall!

I think I'll do some CCKW and Opel Blitz tires at some point. And why not some M8 or Puma if I ever buy those static kits to convert them to RC.

Ah! Floating model boats, etc., in the sink was such fun! I remember using the runoff from recent storms, too. And scuba divers with just a touch of baking soda are great in a utility sink. Those were the days of "The Frogmen" and "Sea Hunt" with Lloyd "Hunh" Bridges, a vintage television program in the states that the French may have been smart enough not to broadcast.

"I think I'll do some CCKW and Opel Blitz tires at some point. And why not some M8 or Puma if I ever buy those static kits to convert them to RC." Indeed! If you have to make up a whole batch of the urethane rubber I could see a load of tires not only on, but in a CCKW.

Herr Dr. Professor wrote: ↑Sat Jun 29, 2024 3:13 pm Ah! Floating model boats, etc., in the sink was such fun! I remember using the runoff from recent storms, too. And scuba divers with just a touch of baking soda are great in a utility sink. Those were the days of "The Frogmen" and "Sea Hunt" with Lloyd "Hunh" Bridges, a vintage television program in the states that the French may have been smart enough not to broadcast.

I don't know this TV program but it seems I don't miss anything.

"I think I'll do some CCKW and Opel Blitz tires at some point. And why not some M8 or Puma if I ever buy those static kits to convert them to RC." Indeed! If you have to make up a whole batch of the urethane rubber I could see a load of tires not only on, but in a CCKW.

Now that's a cool idea, and I could hide the battery under them!

Just for info, the 1/16 M8 Greyhound kit has two-piece plastic tires, but the Puma has rubber tires.

sassgrunt wrote: ↑Sun Jun 30, 2024 9:21 pm Just for info, the 1/16 M8 Greyhound kit has two-piece plastic tires, but the Puma has rubber tires.

Thanks for the infos Mike ! Yeah all the Takom/AHHQ kits comme with styrene tires (I guess the the static guess guys prefer that over rubber). Did not know for the Puma, that's good to know but the suspension parts looks very fragile to convert it to RC