I’m pretty new to modeling and I just got the Tamiya Tiger Tank where you had to build the Tank Treads, all 250 (I think) of them. Anyway, I didn’t really find it that fun (the tread building, the rest was a blast!) but I’m looking for another one to get started on soon. More specificly, a British Comet tank, but pretty much anything will float my boat. If you guys know of, or have any tips on easily finding tanks with pre-built treads please let me know, I’d be so grateful. Thanks[:)]
Lovefrog: You must have the Otto Carius kit. It’s one of the few Tamiya kits with individual track links…“indie-links” or just “indies”
Good news: There are a TON of kits out there with single piece vinyl tracks, we sometimes refer to them as “rubberband” tracks. The real old Tamiya kits have the rubberband tracks and they are TERRIBLE so stay away from them. The newer Tamiya kits (#'s 35250 and higher) should have the better vinyl single piece tracks. FYI: Tamiya kits are also good beginner kits.[;)]. HobbyBoss and Trumpeter also offer some nice starter kits, at good prices, with vinyl tracks. AFV Club & Dragon offer vinyl and indies but the parts count is high and the kits are a bit more advanced.
If you image search a kit you’re considering you should be able to find a pre-build layout of all the parts & tracks or just post a thread asking about the kit(s) you’re considering. You’ll get great feedback from others here in the Armor forum.
SMJmodeler
BTW: When you become an avid tank modeller you’ll PREFER the indie-links! Hard to believe, isn’t it?
You know, I realize that you’re a beginner, but honestly, building “Indy Link” tracks isn’t that hard. I did a tutorial on how to do them easily–check it out. Copy and post this link into your browser. Indy link tracks are so much more versatile and look way better than rubber bands.
http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=1737
I’ve only recently started using indies, but I’m sold.
One thing- they vary widely in ease of use. My Dragon SU-152 came with a set that I put together in a jiffy, using Karl’s toot.
I bought a set of AFV Club tracks for my Sherman M4A3 and they were difficult to assemble, and came out too short! Good thing the tank had side skirts.
I bought a set of metal Friul tracks for my Tiran 5. Heaven! Just the thing for that big sag on Soviet tanks.
Give them a try, lots of choices. I see Friul makes a set for the Comet.
The only plastic kit of a Comet I could find at 1/35 is Bronco’s. It gets good reviews and comes with vinyl tracks.
one reason i do a lot of warwheels. or a tank with skirts.[:D]
they seem to vary from kit to kit, some have jigs others don’t or some have lenth and link where the upper and lower runs are one piece. one thing i do is fir two links together to see how tight they are. if loose i prime both links and see if that helps tighten them up.