I can’t beleive I am asking armor questions. (check the screen name[;)])
But having helped judge the armor at Mosquitcon this past weekend I am really getting the urge to build something heavy[:D]
So what is are friul tracks? I overheard some treadheads (I hope that’s not a derogatory name for you guys) talking about them. Is that a brand name? A type of track on a tank? An aftemarket product?
Friulmodel is a company out of hungary that produces aftermarket items. Friulmodel makes metal aftermarket wheels, tracks, and figures. They are of good quality.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that you must pay for them with a limb or first born.
-graham
Fruil is short for Fruil Model. They are AM, metal, workable track link sets that some people use on their builds. I personally don’t think they are woth the money, but to each their own.
Welcome Marc. We’re a friendly group here, so no worries. Fruils do offer the benefit of natural sag that is common to many German and Russian tanks due to the weight of the metal. This aleviates ad-lib methods such as pins or CA glue. As mentioned, they often cost as much or more than the kit themselves. I personally wouldn’t shell out the money myself, since that is at least a couple of kits off of ebay, but they look great when built. You can also sand down the paint on the high area and leave a nice shiney worn look.
I have them for two of my kits, the 1/35 Dragon Elefant and 1/35 Tamiya Tiger I. The tracks are gorgeous and really add the weighted sag look that makes them look very realistic. They are expensive though. If I remember correctly each of those sets cost me around $35 [:O]
They take a while to put together as you have to individually make a pin and slide it in to link each of the track links… it doesn’t get much more realistic than that! [^] [8D]
Wise choice for the Dragon Elefant, they were the worst kit indies I ever attempted to build.
i really cant justify the cost over the price of a kit for these tracks.beauty is one thing but tracks were’nt meant to be beautiful,were they.and ditto on the elefant tracks,and i hand drilled and pinned them.i think i needed alot of meds after that one,and small drill bit +fingertip.i guess if metal tracks make your world go round ,have at it.P.S does dragon sell there magic tracks outside of kit?my apologies for breaking into your thread.
Thanks guys. I tought saome of the armor felt a bit on the heavy side as we moved them aorund for judging.
-don’t feel to bad guys—the metal tracks i need for my 1/16 t-34 cost about $292.00-- and that is the ’ on sale ’ price![:O][:(]— tread[8D]
p.s. Marc-- best of luck with your t-34/76-- ya have to be in a twelve step program and will want a support group to finish these darn things!!–(but I do hope you give it a try!)[:D]treadwell
No kidding man, the kit supplied indy tracks were dreadful! [:O]
Funny, but no one has gotten the name right yet, it’s Friulmodelisimo.
Close, but not quite right! The correct name is FRIUL MODELISMO!!!
And Hobby Boss is starting to sell individual tracks sets (plastic, not metal!) for 1/35 models, at very reasonable prices (the equivalent of 7 USD) with very good quality.
Like i said … no one has gotten the name right, not even me 
Ohh and you don’t have to yell.
Reasonable prices, but not workable. You have to glue them together. Nice detail, though.
I don’t see the advantage to fully workable tracks anyhow. I don’t go pushing my models around the floor going vroom, vroom. I prefer the indi-link plastic tracks that you glue anyways.
Sorry! Just a bad case of "cut and paste"ytis!!!
I’m not much of a vroom-vroomer either, Gino. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course! I really don’t think workable indy links were made with vroom-vrooming in mind, anyway. While the tough Friul metal-pinned tracks might take the punishment, try that with a set of Model Kasten tracks and you’ll have links scattered all over the floor.
Workable tracks make it substantially easier to get a natural, realistic sag on those types of vehicles that have it (Tigers, Panthers, Sheridans, T-55s, Type 74s, etc.). I’ve seen plenty of non-workable track sets that have been glued together in unnatural, awkward positions. Therein lies the advantage: easy, natural sag.
If you have no problems gluing indy links together in a manner that satisfies you, then more power to you! It’s a heck of a lot cheaper, that’s for sure.
Actually, I prefer link-and-length tracks, such as those included in the Trumpeter KV series kits or Tamiya’s 1/48 armor series. Easy to assemble, and they look great. Unfortunately, aside from a few resin sets, the aftermarket availability of such tracks is rather limited.
Man, if I could afford it, I’d use Fruil tracks on all my builds, except for my Dragon kits with magic tracks. [:D]
Marc, what on earth are you doing posting questions on the Armor forum???!!?? Almost fell off my chair.
But seriously, I got interested a few years back in armor as I wanted some armor to go with my aircraft in the same scale - 1/48. Had to get some Frog or ex-Bandai models from the 70’s, then Tamiya came out with their 1/48th line, and now HobbyBoss also has a whole bunch of 1/48th kits scaled down from Trumpeter’s 1/35 line. I’ve already built their Stug and in the midst of building a sherman, as a matter of fact, I have a GB going on for 1/48th armor as we speak - drop by and take the plunge.
To get back on topic - those tracks sure looks nice but are pricey. I go with Brian’s perference regarding the link & Length tracks in the 1/48th line, they look pretty good to my eyes. The only consideration would be for those who need individual links to pose as broken tracks or armor going over rough terrain.
The way I look at it, these track sets ARE KITS unto themselves. I use them almost exclusively, except for situations, like the kit I’m building now, Tasca firefly, where the kit tracks are rubber band but are very very good. All my German armor with the exception of the Tamiya Marder IIIm have fruils.
As for the price? well I don’t have a problem with it. In my view, it is strictly a personal issue, whether based on budget or whatever. Some people won’t spend the money on a Benz, and drive a Hundai, and that is OK…Magic tracks and indy links are OK too, they are just not as realistic IMHO…
I use straight dressmaker pins instead of the provided wire, the first pic is my fruil tool kit, and my assembly gig (made with some fiber board and a router bit:
regards,
Steve