Does anyone know if there are aftermarket track for this kit? I checked for them in Modelkasten and Friul but didn’t find anything. I reaaally don’t want to use the DS track, it’s a crying shame they put something like that in a beauty of a kit like this.
The Italeri 1/35 M1A2 has link&length tracks and, in Europe at least, is cheap enough to buy for the tracks alone. Certainly cheaper than a set of Fruili tracks. Beware that their M1A1, in its most recent version at least, has rubber bands.
Agree with you about DS tracks. I have the M1A1AIM in the stash, which has indy links, and is all the better for it. Maybe, if you asked, DML would sell you a set? At least that way, they’d realise that DS tracks in 1/35 can be a disincentive to buy a kit.
Cheers,
Chris.
AFV Club has a set of “workable” T-158 tracks for the M1A1/A2 - Part number #3512. These should be widely available. Review here: http://www.ipmslondon.ca/old%20site/ipmslondon.tripod.com/armourreviews/id34.html
Less available, Armor Track Models also did a set, but these are hard to find (OOP) and may be rather expensive. There is a review here: http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=352
Thanks Chris that is a good idea!!
Phil thanks I appreciate it!!
There is one problem which afflicts the link-and-length tracks (Italeri, old Dragon, Trumpeter) and the indy-link Magic Tracks (Dragon M1A1 AIM).
The end connectors and centre guides are moulded to the individual links in a “flat” position. This means that when wrapping around the idlers and sprockets, the end connectors sit at an unnatural angle, rather than following the curve, and look a bit strange.
If you want to correct this, the only viable options at this time are the indy-link sets with separate end connectors or “rubber band” tracks as supplied with the Tamiya M1A2 or the DS tracks supplied with the Dragon M1A2 SEP. (or manually separating the end connectors and gluing them at the correct angle).
As far as I am aware, the DS tracks are the only tracks available which represent the “open” centre guide horns.
Keep in mind that the M1A1/A2’s use “live” tracks (no sag) and most of the tracks are hidden behind the skirts.
I think I’d go for bending/ cutting the connectors on the indy links. It is, after all, only for maybe a couple of dozen links around the idlers and drive sprockets. Problem with DS is that, being a flexible plastic, the track pads would curve too. You can get away with this on a 1/72 Sd.Kfz.251. Not so much on a 1/35 Abrams.
Cheers,
Chris.
True true, thanks again!
The SEP’s one piece DS tracks are actually more accurate than the individual link tracks that came with the AIM. Plus the SEP normally uses T-158LL tracks, these have hollow center guides. None of the available aftermarket tracks (or kit tracks for that matter) have the LL tracks that come with the Dragon SEP kit. The rest use the standard T-158 with solid center guides. You will notice that the SEP tracks have separate center guides so they can be molded hollow.
Strange that the hollow guide horns aren’t moulded integrally as part of the DS tracks. It can be done. I have a Trumpy 1/35 Sturer Emil in the stash. It has rubber band, late Pz.IV-style tracks, with hollow guide horns. If Trumpy can do it…
Cheers,
Chris.
Thanks again for the advice guys!