Why aren't tires in model kits made of rubber?

[deuces wild]

On 11/2/2010 at 1:08 PM, Jon Cole said:

What tire melt?

 

http://images116.fotki.com/v700/photos/5/54765/228091/3Timehastakenitstollonthetires-vi.jpg

 

http://images22.fotki.com/v820/photos/5/54765/228091/QQThisslickhasREALLYdecomposed-vi.jpg

 

http://images52.fotki.com/v1567/photos/5/54765/228091/IACMickeyThompsonRevelleader01-vi.jpg

 

Model & photos courtesy Karl Sheffer

Hope I don't have this problem with the newer (2000?) version of this kit....

[Casey]

A few more Revell "rubber-like" tires, both 1/16 BFG All Terrain T/As and 1/25 Goodyear Wrangler Radials, all of which have fared reasonably well, save for some drying out.