Indi Tracks

For my M1A1-HA / M4A4

I painted them first (I think more advantageous if there are more than one color.) Put them together ,washed and drybrushed them. Put them on and to some retouching (wash and dry brushes)

For my Tiger 1 and JS-2m

I put them together first using rubber cement. Lay them out (rubber cement usually allow some flexibility even after setting) and painted, washed and drybrushed them. Put them on and do some retouching. (wash and dry brushes)

But I would prefer painting them first before assembly. Retouching could be done later anyway.

Good luck Chris.

I usually assemble them around the drive sprocket and go across the top and around the idler, down and towards the drive sprocket, I use slow curring glue. Glue to each road wheel for more hold. I also prepaint, couldn't see how to do them once assembled.

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

lizardqing2,

I am assuming you are speaking of the typical hard plastic tracks found in say a DML kit not the workable tracks like Model Kastens....

I normally build and glue on the tracks before painting but thats just me. That way I don't have to worry about the paint getting in the way of the glue bond. Depending on what tank it is but most often you can dry fit the road wheels and spokets, build and glue up the tracks(not to the wheels though), let it dry then pull it all back off. Your tracks will be one solid part that can (with a little luck) be painted separatley then re-installed with the painted wheels.

If you have the means try some of the Model Kastens or Fruil tracks. They save a mountain of headache when it comes to painting tracks. You can take your time building them....not like glue up tracks that are more (ready set ..........build............................attach...........Whew!) You can paint them by themselves and install them whenever. Little Pricey though, but you get what you pay for....

Good luck on your tracks...

Kenneth

I assemble them in lengths Chris. I measure the distances where I can get the longest straight runs, then assemble that as a section. Then move on to the next longest run, and keep repeating this procedure until I'm down to just the curves sections that go around the idler and drives sprockets. Using these as the guide, I will form the curved sections needed. So using one of my hermans as an example I ended up with 4 straight runs and 2 curved runs per side. I then paint and weather them and after the balance of the tank is finished, I will start to put the assembly together. I usually attach the 2 curved sections to the top run then fit it into place. That way there is no worries about the end connectors. Then I will proceed to attaching the 2 shorter lengths and the bottom length. End connectors for these are easily reachable. Touch up the paint and dust them up with the rest of the tank.

Hope this helps a bit.

Shermanfreak...
I envy you... I tried to assemble a set of indi-link sherman tracks and about went nuts. Do you have any use for a set of AFV club plain block tracks. I should be able to find the 5 or 6 links I took off of the sprues but other than that there all there. Are the fruil tracks any easier to build?

kenneth

Ok thanks everyone. I'll see how it goes, they are for the Stuart so at least it's a small to try for the first go round. Should have them and maybe the whole tank done by the end of the weekend.

QUOTE: Originally posted by shermanfreak So using one of my hermans as an example I ended up with 4 straight runs and 2 curved runs per side.

[:0] hermans? [:0] Who'd hav thout hermie woud mak uch a typo

PS. Easy to do straight runs on a highly tensioned track like the (S)herman. Try it on a Panzer IV.

Keyboard ...... Fingers....... LOL

Kenneth - absolutely, always room for more herman tracks
Send me an e-mail at the address below and I'll send you my address.
Fruil tracks are a lot easier to work with. I have used one set from my Sherman Dozer and liked them very much. Personally though, I prefer the challenge or the DML tracks, I think the finished product looks better.

Peter - very true about the track sag, requires more planning to get them to look right.

I will be using modelkasten tracks on my Sherman Calliope, is there a easy way to put the tracks together. There are a lot of pieces in the box.
mark956

I was messing around with the vinyal tracks that the kit also has and was wondering if putting those on and counting the sections in the straight run and curved run would work or if the indis are different that it would'nt come out the same.

Your getting to involved. I just take a bunch of them , glue them together, wait a few minutes, then shape them around the sprocket. If they look right, glue them down and build some more. I build one long section to go straight across the top, glue it down. Next, build a bunch, wait , then curve around the rear idler and glue down. It's really easy, I've read many different ways to do it, but sometimes the easiest is to just jump in and try it. Not recommended for children under 13. LOL

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

Once I started on them I discovered they basically snap together and hold good with out glue and they are still pretty bendable. Something tells me though that this might be easier with a bigger piece of armor than this little guy.

I will admit I have yet to try tracks that small. I would still glue them together though, otherwise they might pop off and create a domino effect. LOL

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

I think no matter what kind of track you use...best be willing to use lots of patience!
Trying to rush the job will only lead to mistakes and frustration! So give yourself plenty of time. Like they will get done when they get done...no sooner!

My two cents!

Glenn

I got some progress while everybody took a nap today, put some pics up with some progress shots of the rest of it.

Looks like your getting the hang of it Chris. Your Stuart is coming along nicely.

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

That's right ... hmmmmmm ... that kit comes with the option of using either the indy or the rubber band track doesn't it ... hmmmm.

Depending on the detail of the rubber band track, that's probably the option I would use. For instance the Tamiya Shermans come with R.B. tracks and they look really good, why change them. Because both the Stuart and the Sherman have live tracks, no sag to worry about which IMO is the biggest asset to indy tracks.
Just something to consider Chris.

Mark - I haven't built the M.K. Sherman tracks so I'm not much help there but I have heard good things about them.

Robert- I did think of that before starting the indi ones but after putting a few together and putting them side by side the idi ones had alot more of a detailed look to them The vinyal ones realy don't have any open spaces along the tracks. Plus I figured I needed the practice if I was to ever broaden my builds any further.

Couldn't agree with you more Chris ..... especially if the indies are that much better in detail.