What is the reason for this style of tire on a airplane?

[warbird2]

In the thread about the Loadstar in Kentucky there is a link with pictures. I am wondering what is the purpose in the tread design of these tires? I have noticed them on a few different airplanes but nothing current. Why such an odd tread design?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/maciekish/ ... 102745815/

[Speedy]

In the thread about the Loadstar in Kentucky there is a link with pictures. I am wondering what is the purpose in the tread design of these tires? I have noticed them on a few different airplanes but nothing current. Why such an odd tread design?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/maciekish/ ... 102745815/

OBVIOUSLY a snow-tire that someone pulled all the studs out of.......

[51fixer]

Possibly it was the latest technology in the WWII era and there were hundreds, if not thousands left surplus.

[Fleet16b]

The tires pictured are of WW2 vintage.
Many of the early model aircraft had smooth tires with no tread but this made it difficult to judge wear thickness of the tires.
The indent dimples were there as a measure of tire wear.
Once the tires wore down to the base of the dimple , they were ready for change
My Fleet Finch has smooth tires as they looked out of the factory , no dimples, so you have to inspect them regularly.

[The Inspector]

Racing slicks (drag racing and roundy round) have a few 'dimples' cast in them for the same reason, wear indication, don't want that slick blowing out @ 3:15 with a 3 and 300 mph. They also gave the tire a bit of 'bite' on wet or clay runways.

[StangStung]

WIX...where every obscure question has an answer!

[The Inspector]

I just love adding to my compost heap of information