Chains

I kept the chain from my track's BII in an ammo crate... 

Hi Chazzer,

I'm always using scale chain. For the bigger stuff like the heavy gauge chain shown in the photo on this thread I use railway model chain from my LHS.

If I want something much thinner the best stuff is probably 46 Links Per Inch (it's tiny) which is perfect for lashing stuff down and using as smoke grenade pulls on Panzer I's etc - I have to source thos on line from more speacialist model shops then my LHS. Below is my Panzer I Ausf A with 46 LPI chain for smoke candle pulls.

ATVB

Ben

As opposed to the normal din of a tracked vehicle?  Naw, the danger of dangling chains was getting caught in the suspension and scraping away at paint as it dangled. 

Chains were stored on board many US made vehicles -- to be used for traction around tires.  All these were bagged and stuffed away in the crannies of the vehicle.

Roy - wouldn't another problem be with loose chains is that they are noisey as anything, and help announce your presence?

Mike T.

Try a hobby store that caters more to arts and crafts, like "Michaels". The jewelry making section has plenty of chain in many sizes and colors for a pretty low price.

Hobby shops that have railroad supplies will be able to help you.  Note that most modellers use chains more than what was the case in the field.  The BT-7 above, with some other Soviet and French armor -- that's about it.  Otherwise, cable was the preferred tool -- chains hanging off models are ripe for disaster -- getting caught in suspensions and such.  real tankers kept their chains in canvas sacks.  It's very occasional you see a length of chain on a military vehicle.  (but for some reason, modellers love 'em)

 Just run on down to your local dollar store and look over the chains and necklaces in the so called jewelry department..... Maybe $2.00.........Hmmmm,  no luck, too much?

Okay , then check out the thrift or goodwill store........   how about .29 cents to .59 cents? I have dozens.

  Just use your common sense as to the size and style. Multiply the scale times the actual size of the chain you are looking at.

(35 in 1/35 ..... 1/16 dia. chain would be 2.1875" in real life and in 1/48th it would be 3.48"..........you need something really tiny)

That's what I used on this one.

Hi Chazzer

I recently found some chain that is about the right scale at a store that sells dress makers  fabric - it is often used as a decorative fastening across the back of evening dresses ! Nice and cheap too !