RE: BUSA D-VII BUILD @ EAA 2010
Most Balsa USA planes were not designed to be "100% Scale". They are designed to build easily and fly well at an affordable price.
They do have alot of potential to be modified or close to scale looking. It all depends on how far the builder wants to take it.
A far as the white tires, "most" of the black & white pics I see in the books show black tires. I think either would be correct though.