While accumulating the differant items needed for my upcomingM-19 Conversion project,I picked up a set of “MB models” individual track links for the Chaffee that’s going to be the basis for this build.I had never heard of MB models,but the price was 1/3rd the cost of Fruilmodels And I must say the castings are flawless & flash free. BUT,[ & it’s a big but ],there are no holes drilled in the links nor wire with the set.The wire is easily had,but because of the diminutive size of these links,There is no way I will be able to drill them myselves [ especially since both the leading & trailing edges have to be drilled in near perfect alignment ].While I could return them to the seller,they really are of exceptional detail & quality. Anyone have any ideas what or how to assemble them & what the best adhesive to use if other than Cyo ? Help or advice will be greatly appreciated.So far,I can’t find the company on-line. thanks, keith r.
I used the Fruilmodels set, unless they produced a second set, it wouldn’t be good for you as it is the WWII version of the tracks, but the good side is that it came with the front sprockets.
Like you, I wouldn’t want to drill out each link. can’t help you there.
Mike T.
There was a company in the states called MB Models a while back that made some really nice resin and white metal kits and accessories, but they have gone out of business. I think there’s another MB Models now from one of the eastern European countries. I think you’ll need to build a small jig that will allow you to place the track blocks on their side and then drill down through two blocks at once. If done like this it wouldn’t have to be perfect and you’d still get a reasonably good connection. White metal drills pretty easy, but it’d be tedious no doubt. I don’t know of any glue strong enough to hold them together and still allow you wrap them around the sprockets and idlers. If you use CA you’ll need to build them in runs, in effect makeing your own link and length tracks out of them. Good luck.
Thanks guys.Yeah,Steve,It’s the OLD mb models.The track set I got is Literally old enough to vote [ they were bought from the buyer I got em’ from 18 years ago !!! ].I was thinkiking like you & making a jig to drill them out a pair at a time.I wish I had Longer wire drills small enough to do that.Worst case,they were only 11$ .As I said,what really hurts is that the quality of them if amazing,detail & no trimming At All necessary.If we get one more snowstorm here in Taxachusetts,I’ll be trapped til spring,so I may as well start drilling !!! keith r.
A company named Armour Track Models did a series of Chaffee tracks. TK-06 were the rubber padded post war tracks and TK-07 were the all stell WW2 style tracks. Their sets normally included resin drive sprockets and sometimes resin idler wheels to insure they worked on various model kits.
They ran about $25-30 a set.
I have in the stash somewhere a set of metal tracks for this, mostly short lengths with some individual links,
bought in the UK when I wanted to backdate Italeri’s original release… [whstl] I’ll try & find 'em [^o)]
Thanks,Rob.I’ll socour the planet to see if I can find Those,especially if they have the extra two idlers I need for my M-19 conversion. keith r.
Jon,do you emember what company tey are ? thanks, keith r.
I think the Armour Track Model sets are now released by Bronco Models, but I do not know if they include the resin sprockets or not.