what is the obsession we have with rusty tracks
almost every one does it (over does it) i have seen some of us rust up the rubber chevrons on some tanks too
and tracks that where make out of some types of steel don’t show rust unless it has sat out in the weather not used for 10-15 yrs or more
rubber rots not rusts
Ok Durr, who got you all riled up over this?? [swg]
Let me guess, it was one of my models, wasn’t it? lol.
J
Do we need to discuss this again?[V]
It’s one of those perpetual debates, sort of like the coconut laden/unladen European/African swallow debate from Monty Python’ Search for the Holy Grail… (ok, I’m reeeallly reaching).
Jeff
“But I don’t want to get on the cart!”
“Oh, don’t be such a baby …”
[}:)]
my lhs has these 2 huge glass cases with 45-50 models from local builders on display and this was a fantastic sherman but the rubber tracks were rusted and if the builder was 12 -15 yrs old i could say OK but they guy is in his mid 30’s and has had his sutff displayed b-4
tracks from that era tend to rust quickly (not the rubber ones though) i know some guys who have fully restored universal carriers that have rusty tracks (yet well maintained tracks) the only place that there is no rust is on contact areas (with the ground or sprockets) but every where else rusts
As the owner of a 1943 White M3 halftrack, I can attest, the metal areas rust rather quickly, drive sprockets and idlers especially. The metal portions of the tracks however, what little there is to be seen, never rusts to bright red, usually a dull gray/brown.
“Bring out your dead!”
Jeff
i agree it’s a darker brown like when farm equipment rusts.
p.s. don’t american halftracks have rubber band style tracks? and yes i mean the real vehicles
I’ve seen track rust to a bright orange color overnight many times when in the field. I’m talking orange like Bozo’s hair, but it’s just a light surface rust that you can rub off with your finger. If left to sit for a few days it turns dark red brown and gives the color you commonly see at shows all over the place. I do agree in many cases, the rust is over done for vehicles that are being used daily. I just chalk it up to the same arguement that goes with black muzzles. [:D]
To be honest IMHO, we should listen to people like you who have served with our forces and have a way better understanding of field conditions than the rest of us couch-potatoes. Must admit that I learned about the blackened muzzles though you guys and now I don’t over do them anymore.
For me the answer is simple really, from where I came from, I have never seen a tank in close and personal like you guys. We dont even have museum full of tanks to look as a reference. The best bet I can get close to a tank is the internet and books but those are not enough.
Ben
Rubber rant not withstanding, I don’t think its really overdone that much. When you see a nicely built model, usually the rusting is done on par with the rest of the weathering on the vehicle. Also, not only on this forum, but on many others, I’ve read people that work with the equipment on a daily basis, and that have it seen rust bright orange in the field in a matter of a day or a night. So, we tend to listen to them. Plus, not everyone builds to 100% accurate standards, and there is some artistic license into what goes to our models. Build your models the way you like them.