Here’s an interesting image of two M1 track links, from a company that makes a cleaner for them – it’s kinda a before and after pic:
Do M1 treads ever look like the dirty one? Or do they more generally resemble the clean one?
Neither one looks serviceable, but the lower one looks better. Those white Xs on the inner surface looks like a mechanic “coded” it out as a bad block.
The rusty one is a good example of what can happen when they sit out in the weather. You could still use it if you were desperate but you wouldn’t want to. The bottom “cleaned” block isn’t really representative of one that’s been on the tank for awhile. Minor rust can start on the exposed metal in a matter of days (on a static vehicle), usually where the sprocket has gouged into the metal, grinding away the factory rust inhibitor E-coat.
Steve
Steve
Ok, thanks guys. I’ll store this pic away and try to get my treads looking somewhere in-between, but a lot closer to the clean than the dirty.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, here are 2 thousand on the subject. This tank was set back for repairs, it had set in the repair yard for a while, hence all of the rust on the tracks. The pads are well worn from fighting bad guys on the mean streets of Baghdad.
Hope this helps you!
Armydogdoc…what that picture tells me is that the pads are still black even after long exposure to the elements and that the rest of the tread is rusted but not in a deep red color that is usually associated with rust. The tread is more dusty than rusty, with a slightly worn appearance. I may have to reevaluate my tread painting in M1’s now. Thanks for the picture.
Hi,
I do have experience working as my M113 driver before, here are some insights to share.
All armour tracks are permanantly rusty cos they are made of steel. Only brand-new tar-coated tracks from factory will be jet-black. For parades, ppl do oil cleaned tracks to make them seem black.
Top image of yellowish orange track would be what u see in real life on a CLEANED vehicle. Without thorough washing, tracks are typically coated with a layer of mud or whatever terrain they go thru. For hot terrains like deserts, tracks will be much cleaner as the dried mud, dust will come off as the vehicle moves at high speed. For tropical or wet terrains, expect the track to be barely recognisable and lots of mud on all wheels/suspension arms.
Rubber blocks wear out quickly. Do not be surpised if u see abt 5-10% of rubber blocks (we call pads) missing from tracks if track maintenance is not carried out regularly. Otherwise, worn rubber pads will just eventually flush with the most extruting metal structures of the track as they get worn down.
Typicaly these vehicles are operating on pavement, in an urban environment. At least for the current war at the present time. If you are modeling OIF tanks that are not in the desert this is what they look like. I am sure this vehicle did see the wash rack before I took these pics. All that I can tell you is this is a pic taken of an M1 in Iraq a few months ago by me. I guess it all depends on what you are wanting to model.