Hello,
Just about to start the Emhar A7V kit soon and was wondering what colour the tracks should be. It’s very difficult to see from any period pics and the colour ones from the museum in Brisbane seem grey, but you never know whether that’s the original colour or just a primer they paint on to keep it all sound. Any help will be welcomed. Thanks.
Rich
I would take a look at a local construction site and paint them to match a bulldozer’s track.
As a word of warning/advice from one who’s been there. Don’t try using the pins that come withthe kit. Two things will happen: first, the pins will pierce your finger tips, second, they will break the tracks. This will result in great frustration and pain. Instead, take some regular paper staples and bend one leg flat. so they look like a capital L. Use these in place of the pins and cut off the excess when you are done. Actually, it’s been so long, I don’t remember if I bent them or cut one of the legs off first. Either way, test fit and use this method.
Second, the kit implies you can get a working suspension by using the springs. You can’t. They springs trump just about any glue. Forget them and simply assemble the rest of the suspension.
Have, fun. It’s an impressive kit when completed.
Tank tracks are made from Manganese Steel. Any paint that might have been applied would quickly wear off, leaving the tracks to weather a characteristic dark brown color. Not rust colored, but more of a dark, chocolate brown. A black wash, dry-brush with steel and add dust or mud…you’re good to go.
Thanks again for all your help gents. It’s appreciated.
Rich
I went with the ‘brown’ look on my Tadpole plus various washes and a light ‘steel’ drybrushing.
FWIW…
This is all good advice if you’re building the Tauro 1/35 A7V kit, with its multi-part, alledgeldy working, running geat and suspension. However, this is a query about the Emhar 1/72 kit, with its one-piece, non-working running gear units.
I painted mine with very dark brown acrylic, washed with diluted black ink. I then weathered them with the rest of the lower hull.
Cheers,
Chris.
