Thanks to everyone who helped me find my feet a little bit as I dip my toe back into armor.
I’ve decided to take a test run with Zvezda’s T-34/85 (got it from Great Models for a whopping $15), and I want to build it as OOB as possible, but I understand the kit’s vinyl tracks are basically worthless so I’d like to replace them with aftermarket.
Thing is, I don’t necessarily want to throw down for a set of Friuls or MKs that’d cost twice as much as the kit itself. I read a review of the kit that mentioned a cheap set of Maquette links for $6, but Google revealed that Maquette links are in range with AFV club’s stuff and within spitting distance of MKs…
So…anybody know of any aftermarket tracks in the less than $20 range?
I picked up a couple of sets of the Maquette track on Ebay for much less than $20. They make an early and a late set. They aren’t real good as far as assembly goes, they don’t have a large mating surface which means they tend to fall apart when you just don’t need them to, but they are doable and are better than the kit vinyls. I also got a set of AFV Club late style on Ebay, I don’t recall what I paid for them, but I know it was less than $20. I know what you mean about paying more for AM stuff. I just got a Voyager PE set for a dragon kit that cost more than the kit. Don’t know what the bleep I was thinking. Any way as far as inexpensive goes, the Maquette sets are your best bet.
Albeit the cheapest, Maquette tracks may be difficult to find. I recommend you AFV Club’s T-34 500 mm track links. I’m using them on the very same tank you bought. In fact, Zvezda tracks are very tight, it ended up breaking my T-34 left idler wheel’s axle, so indy track links are required. Best regards.
Thanks guys! I actually found AFV’s tracks are much cheaper online ($15 versus like $25 at the LHS…) so I’ll probably go that route. Might hold off a week though. Austin’s annual model show/contest is next Saturday, so I’m going to wait and see what might pop up on the vendor tables.
Jose - how do the tracks play with the Zvezda? Saw a review where they had some fit issues with Dragon kits and had to be filed down around the idler to fit snug.
Well, it seems like Zvezda’s drive sprockets are a little bit smaller than AFV Club’s… Almost insignificant, so you won’t notice at all. A complete AFV Club track run is longer than Zvezda’s… Pay attention to the idler mount… I’m working on my T-34 and solved this issue, but needs some scratchbuilding… Too bad nobody replies to my thread so I don’t think I’ll be posting new updates for some time. I’ll send you a link to my work in another forum if you’re interested. Best regards.
Wow,thats a bit harsh.I could say that you never commented on my Jagdtiger thread,in fact you have not commented on anybodies build since 4-5-2010 when you complimented Total American Patriot’s Pershing.You gotta give some to get some.