[horsa]

Used would be the way to go with aircraft tires since they are 10 ply and would still last a long time with something lightweight that was towed. But like the U.S. NDT patterns, they just don't seem right to me.

Attached is a shot of an off-road forklift tire I'm considering. It's for a 10" rim and the section width is 7.9 so would be pretty close to the wartime lugged tires. Less than half an inch off in expanded width so not all that apparent. And while they are also not correct, they project a closer look and feel to the heavy wartime tread I think. Cost is comparable to the modern civilian trailer tires. The inner rim width of the 6-pdr/towed mortar is 5 inches and these have a recommended inner rim size of 5.5 inches. They make another with the same tread for a true 5 inch inner rim size but the section width is 7 inches which is 1 1/4 inches narrower than the wartime tire. I'm told either would fit with no issues though.

Down side is it isn't a highway tire. Max hardtop speed is only about 30mph. Not sure if it becomes unstable at higher speeds or if it will fall apart. But I can't see pulling artillery down the highway at cruising speed myself so don't consider it an issue.