Tamiya Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind Tracks

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Greetings!

Does anyone know if an aftermarket track set is available for Tamiya’s Wirbelwind. I know if i have to I can use the ‘rubber band’ tracks but would like something better.

Thanks

Steve

2

perhaps a Friulmodel set for a Mark IV would work

3

If you want to save a whole lotta money and still get a nice set of indiv. link tracks, Academy has a set of plastic Pz IV tracks that sell for under $10.00–look on SQUADRON.com

4

Thanks for this info. I have Tamiya’s IV J that I want to replace the tracks on. Does Academy offer other track choices? (marder, tiger, panther…)

5

AFV also has others, like Shermans’, M40’s, Abrams, M48 tracks, among others.

There are other choices for German Armor–Hobby Boss just came out with some late Tiger II tracks; they’re ridiculously cheap! Tamiya has excellent Panther/Tiger II sets as well.

Academy’s Pz IV set is #1357 . I hope you can still find it. Might be worth getting another PzIV from DML on Ebay, just for the plastic tracks? That’s what I’d do if you can’t find Academy’s…just make sure you get a later “Ausfrung”, with ice cleats.

They also have a Tiger I track set for $7.46 on Squadron by Academy.

Like I said, check SQUADRON, or INTERNET HOBBIES–another good, reliable distributor.

6

Many thanks. That was great news. I will check out Squadron now. One question more. Who carries the metal Fruil tracks. I have a nice Dragon Tiger 1 on the bench and wanted to splurge on that one. I had checked Squadron but couldn’t see them listed.

7

I was just visiting Internet Hobbies, they have LOTS of Fruil’s listed.

8

http://www.modelcraftsandhobbies.co.nz/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=3237&category_id=95f490fbb59df0089c3db6658a1a4425&PHPSESSID=4250bf2de626506f1d5765b08d33c6ad

9

Just to give you my experience with the Academy tracks. I bought them as a replacement for my Tamiya Stug IV. On the back of each track there are two injection pin marks. I started to fix each one but after a few I decided my sanity was worth the extra money for the Fruils. That’s just me.

When I got the Fruils I also had a surprise. The Tamiya kit sprocket is to thick for the fruils. You might also want to consider getting the Fruil sprocket too.

Joe

10

Dragon also makes some Pz IV tracks.

11

I would think that the effort of filling each Academy link would be at least equal to that of laboring over the tedious Frooly assembly?

I have the Academy set in my hand right now and have to say that, IMHO, the marks are just barely perceptible; I mean, I don’t think they would even be visible AS IS with a coat of paint and a bit of weathering. At the most, they might need a light sanding or a simple scrape with the ol’ Exacto blade.

The Academy set also comes with it’s own sprockets.

12

I used friul 1/48 Panther tracks,no tedious laboring,just measure wire,cut,insert,no issues finished in 20-30 min.excellent product I would recommend if you don’t mind the cash layout

13

For me sanding and filling is at the bottom of the list of why I like building models[xx(][:)]

You are correct though there are some that are not bad but on the set I had a couple of sprues were bad and required filling. You may be right after weathering you may not see it expecially if you add some mud but I didn’t get that far. I did use the rear idler though[:D] it seemed to me to have better detail than the kits.

14

…another option are the Modelkasten tracks for about $30…they have several Mk IV track types…I believe the “Late” solid-horn version would be right for this AFV…

15

Yes make sure that you buy the solid guide horn version, wether it is DML, Academy, Fruil Model, Model Kasten. Late model Pz.Kpfw. IV used 40cm track with solid guide horns.