I finally found a way to successfully use those PE spoke kits for early aircraft. I had bad luck cutting out centers of kit wheels and gluing in spokes.
Here is what seems to be working well now. I take lengths of 1/2 and
7/16 styrene tubing and glue them together. They must be glued together very well, else the tires will come apart. I made a semi- circular forming tool by drilling a 1/6 inch hole in a piece of 050 steel. I then used a Dremel with cutoff wheel to cut half of the hole away. I spin the tubing sections (each about 2 inches long) in my lathe and bring the tool up to the edge of the tubing, forming a semi- circular end to the tube. I then use a fine cutoff tool to lop off a ring about 40 thousandths wide. I then go back to forming tool and repeat. Each ring takes two rings (which become tire halves).I cut out the PE spoke sets keeping the PE rim with the spokes. I slit this rim in about three places to allow some dishing. I push the spoke set down on a little bead to dish it. Then I glue with CA one of the tires to the outside of each spoke set. I then glue two of the spoke sets together giving one wheel and tire. This leaves a groove, but I fill the groove with putty.
Then I prime and paint. Remember, they only started adding carbon black to rubber in about 1911, so while WW1 tires would probably be black, earlier planes would have light grey or tan colored tires.
Building several of the old Pyro kits. Currently working on the Bristol boxkite. Takes FOUR wheels!