So I’m building Dragon’s T-34/85 Mod.'44, and noticed the instructions don’t provide a number of track links per side.
Not that those numbers are ever accurate (especially as I’m using Friuls), but they’re usually within 3-4 links, and I like to have a target in mind.
The Friul set has 170 links, they usually leave around 20 spares, so I’m guessing 150 = 75 per side? But that’s just total guesswork…
I used the Friuls T-34/85 tracks on my (late) /76. I cannot remember the number of links exactly (around 76 i think, needs to be even number as there are two tracks) BUT i had enough leftover to use as spare tracks on the tank if i chose to. Hope that helps?
Andy
That sounds about right.
when I did the Friuls for my Tamiya T34 I kept going till I thought I had enough and ran them through the running gear to see where I was at length wise. If I needed to lengthen it a little I add tracks if I wanted to shorten it I would remove 2 links or 4 till I got it right. But when I got it done I would pull a pin lay it out and then use it to check the length of the set for the other side that I was building
BTW Doogs if you ever do the SWS the tracks for the SWS are similar to the T34 being that it also has the pad link pad arangement like the T34.
I used 76 kit supplied links per side on my Dragon 1944 model T34/85. You should always have an even number of links.
Hey doogs. Yup, did a bit of head scratching when there was no number for the links. I put all the road wheels on one side and took a long piece of masking tape and wrapped it around the wheels in a loop like it was track. Left it just a very tiny bit loose on top for a little sag. Make a cut in the tape and you got the perfect “ruler” for the length.
Well, i figure since I’m doing two runs I’d go ahead and try 76 as a starting point. Yikes! There’s track sag, well, this was track flab!
So I pulled out four links, down to 72. Still a bit looser than I’d like, but pulling out two more would make things way too taut. I think I might try pulling out one, going with an odd number, and hiding it in the drive wheel.
Well crud. Even though I’ve been assembling these friuls, part of me was thinking they were just like the KV tracks where each one can fit with each one. Nope. No choice but to go even. 70 links is WAY too taut (even suspended, the upper run floats up by the fenders). 72 still a bit too slack…
Maybe move the front idler forward a bit (if possible, not sure if you left it positionable?) to tighten things just a skosh?
Up to you if you want to chance this. There are pretty soft so if you were to gently tug on a few at a time they would stretch a tiny bit each and 70 end being just right.
Bill - I’ve already got the front idler extended forward a bit (had to lock it down after that since it was just super slippy). If I could move it BACK now, 70 would be great…Time to revisit that join maybe.
Marc - great idea bout stretching the tracks a bit. I’m going to try it and if they break I’m blaming you [;)]
70 links…
I didn’t know that the Idlers on the dragon kit were adjustable? Hopefully you left the drive wheels unglued so you can remove the track. Rest of the tracks are probably going on the T34 as spares or in the spares box right Doogs?
Doogs did you stretch the Friuls??? If so… you are far braver man than me. Looks good.
Andy
The idlers are “kind of” adjustable. In that…they stick into a hole, and the idler mount (for the actual wheel) sits at the perimeter of the circle and can be rotated. Problem is…the idler mount/hull connection is very loose and I can’t imagine it withstanding the weight of friuls very well at all.
And yes…I did stretch the friuls a bit. Just went down the length and pulled gently. Nothing to it. And I have something like 20 links left over, so if I damaged one, no worries!