Hi all,
Over the last 6 months I’ve started using AFV clubs individual track link kits for some of my models and have had great success using the M-1A1&A2 (AF 35012) / M60 & M48 (AF 35010)kits. The “bigfoot” links for my Bradley gave me a little trouble with coming apart in places but I was able to work around it with 1 or 2 well placed shots of glue.
With that success in mind I bought a set of M4 Sherman HVSS T80 “steel type” (AF 35032) tracks to improve upon and old Tamiya M4 w/HVSS I have. These links are drive’n me nutz!! [|(]. I can get the track “plates” joined in the center with the piece that rolls between the road wheels but the small fasteners that go over the ends of the pins on the far inside & outside of the tracks that engage the sprocket just slide off (on the M1 & M60 track these are more of a slight press fit thus requiring no glue but still movable) I’d have to put glue on every track plate pin to get them to stay on. I imagine the track wouldn’t be too “workable” if I did that.
Am I missing something here or is this a bad design from AFV club?[%-)]
Thanks,
Gary (aka. 1SG)
Gary, I’ve used AFV tracks for some time now and the all the Sherman/Stuart/Pershing type tracks gave me the same problem. The best fix I’ve come across is to gently “squeeze” the sides of the pins that the end connectors slide onto using either strong tweezers or fine nosed pliers. All you want to do is flatten the pins slightly causing two sides to bulge a little. This little bulge helps hold the connectors on. It doesn’t take much pressure to do this so be careful, othewise you’ll flatten them too much and weaken the pins to the point that you can’t even get the connectors on without breaking them. If your tweezers are fine enough just squeeze the bottom part of the pin, the part against the track shoe. That way the outer end stays round…you know, the part that shows on the connector! Hope this helps.
Ernest,
Outstanding advice. That worked great, went from 2hrs with no progress (and about ready to pitch the whole thing into the bin) to 20 tracks linked in under 30 min with your advice[:D]. Many thanks Ernest!!!
Gary
No problem Gary! Glad to be of help. Its a great fix, however I can’t take credit for it…its just something I picked up from one of my many model magazines!!