HOW TO ON INDIVIDUAL TRACK LINKS

I am going to build a dragon kit (stock number dr6207) of a DAK PzKpfw I Ausf.B, and it will be my first attempt at individual track links, I know that they provide more detail than the flimsy vinyl tracks Tamiya and Academy usually include in their kits, but obviously, from looking at the tracks, I do not know where to start. I was wondering what thebest way to assemble and paint them to achieve a releastic result. Any help would be gladly appreciated.

Hope you have a better day than Ive had,

R@nD0MGr33NC@K3

Here’s a link to some pictures showing how I construct them.

http://matt24.fotopic.net/c778272.html

I hope this helps in getting you started. It gets easier the more you do. Good luck.

With Dragon kits I try to fill/sand the ejector pin marks off the inside of the track blocks while they’re still on the sprue. I find it’s easier than trying to hold each track block while sanding. Then I check my references for how many track blocks the real vehicle normally had. I cut off and clean up that number plus two. Then I line them up in one long strand. I carefully glue them to each other with liquid solvent style glue and wait about 30 minutes. If possible I leave the upper hull off, then I put them on the vehicle. If they’re too long I pull a block off at a time until they fit right. I find it’s easier to remove one or two than to add them. When they are completely dry and I’m in a good mood, I paint them in place on the tank. This method can be a little frustrating, but I find it easier for me than trying to make upper and lower runs like many of the guys do. You’ll have to experiment and find what works best for you.

I’ve jus’ ordered some T34 track links produced by WWII Productions. They don’t need to be glued, as they all snap-fit together! They are expensive, though! I paid £23.99, for 'em, the T34 kit on the other hand cost me £15.99.

I do mine the same way as matthew9 but I put down Invisible tape sticky side up. I use Tamiya glue and complete the whole track at once. I work quickly and the Tamiya glue cures slow enough to move the completed track in place. I have completed two tanks this way want it works very well.
Good Luck!

Click on the search feature of this page.
It’s right below and to the right of where it says “armor”.
After that, enter “individual track links”.
You’ll get a lot of advice.
As stated, the more you do…


(click on the picture for a blow-up)
… the easier they are.

If you’ve never done links before… You’re about to have a day like you NEVER had!

Steve

The most common method is to assemble the links in series of about 4-5 links, then assemble those into longer runs. For the lower half of the tracks, just assemble them straight. You’ll want to be a little quicker on the upper runs, and not allow the glue to cure so that you can model the track sag.

Have fun, welcome to another staple of armour modelling.

In the upcoming July issue of FSM (on sale June 6) there’s a story on tank track techniques by yours truly.

Jeff

This is actually a gimmick. They are easier (some think so anyways) to install with the click together links. BUT, (there is always a but…) if you want them to be permanenty attached and not eventually fall off, they still need to be glued. Also, if not glued, they will flop around and not look realistic.

I’ve found a good site:

http://www.panzernet.com/articulos/tecnicas/montaje/eslabones/eslabones_ppal.htm

Sorry, It’s in Spanish… Hope this helps.

The most important thing you need to know about Dragon Pz I track links is that you must be extremely careful when removing them from the sprue. The parts are very delicate and there is a great deal of tension in them and using normal removal methods will result in your breaking alot of them (I’ve learned this through experience!). Basically you need to remove the sprues from the links and not the other way around. Use sprue cutters to cut away the sprue frame from the outside in, until you end up with a row of links with a length of sprue attached to one side. Then you can cut them away with your Xacto. Take your time and cut carefully and you should be fine.

This is very close to what I do, only I do mine in English :slight_smile:

I can second this advice! First time I approached a set of DML Pz I links I made ONE cut with the sprue cutters and instantly 6 of them split right down the middle as if they’d had a zipper installed. [:D]

Each link has 5 attachment points and DML isn’t very generous with the number of extra links, other than that I can say that they do build up very nicely, just need more than the usual care/patience in the assembly process.

Thanks for the heads-up on that, HeavyArty! This will be the first time i’ll be usin’ individual track links!