Tank tracks...part 2

Copterguy

Member since
November 2003
From: Ontario, Canada

Tank tracks...part 2

Posted by Copterguy on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 5:04 PM

The ongoing saga of my first tank continues..........

I'm using Shermanfreak's ideas from an earlier post for painting my sherman's tracks - turning out great so far. Here are some other Q's though:

1. Is it better to weather the tracks (rust, etc.) before or after putting them on the tank?

2. The tracks are these 1-piece vinyl things. Where is the best place to locate the joint between the ends so that it is not visible on the finished kit (i.e. on top, on the road surface, ...)?

3. What's a good way to get the tracks to sag properly on a sherman (or any other armoured vehicle for that matter)? I've heard things like fine wire, thread, or CA glue. Which is best?

Many thanks again. Smile [:)]

Jim

Current Projects: Tamiya M1A2 Tamiya LRDG Chevrolet CWT 30

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M1abramsRules

Member since
June 2003

Posted by M1abramsRules on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 5:13 PM

I put mine in hot water before putting them on and make the sags with super glue. I usually put te seam on top if there are side skirts, or on the drive sprocket on top.

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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 6:34 PM

Hey Jim

1. I do all weathering such as rust before I put the tracks onto the tank. If I'm applying mud to the vehicle I do this after the tracks are on. Any dusting with pastel chalks I do after the tracks are mounted.

2. I always place the joint on top near one of the return rollers so that it is virtually unnoticable.

3. There is nearly NO percievable sag in a Sherman track. Let me repeat ... NO SAG.
Same goes for Lee / Grant, Stuart and any Sherman variant.

P.S. Did I mention NO SAG on a Sherman track.

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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Copterguy

Member since
November 2003
From: Ontario, Canada

Posted by Copterguy on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 7:41 PM

Thanks again for the ideas.

Chris - does the hot water damage the paint finish at all?

Robert - do most other tanks have some sag? I'm thinking about doing a German next (Panzer or Tiger) or perhaps an Abrams.

I may actually get my first tank (actually one of my first models in decades!) done by Jan or Feb if I'm lucky. Smile [:)]

Also, looks like my brief fascination with copters is on the back burner while I obsess on armour for a while. Smile [:)]

Current Projects: Tamiya M1A2 Tamiya LRDG Chevrolet CWT 30

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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 8:09 PM

Jim - many tanks do have sag in their tracks, but it varies with the vehicle as to what it would look like. Once you decide on which vehicle you are going to build, then we can certainly give a little better advice on how to sag the tracks.

If you're going to be building a Sherman .... you may want to consider joining in on the group build.

Also you may have to change your name from copterguy to tankguy or something more fitting.

The lure of the darkside strikes again !!!

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 8:28 PM

Welcome to the Darkside Jim. Most of the late German tanks had some sag, as did the Russians. There are many good reference sites and books such as New Vanguard or Squadron to name a few.