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1/72 scale tracks love to hate them!

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  • Member since
    February 2011
1/72 scale tracks love to hate them!
Posted by fullmetal2011 on Monday, February 7, 2011 12:48 PM

Hello

I work with 1/72 scale modeling armor, figures, planes etc..  I have been  modeling for over 10yrs, and to this day the one thing i dread more than anything is opening up a new kit and seeing the dreaded plastic tracks!

Now my question is two parts.

1.)  How do you all secure the plastic tracks together?  I know they show heating up a flat head screw driver pressing it together and melting it.  Dont like that method and always seems to make the track crooked and looks terriable.   Not to mention if any little extra stress is placed on the track it rips apart.  I have always used individual track links when i can or get some for the particular model.  When i have had to use the plastic rubbery mess i have learned to use a small stapler and paint over the staple, isnt the best option but works as long as you hide the staple on the top of the track where most wont see it.

2.)  Does anyone know of a company that makes metal tracks for 1/72 scale armor?  Or individual tracks for that matter? 

Just wanting some ideas and thoughts on the subject thanks.

fullmetal2011

  • Member since
    March 2006
Posted by TD4438 on Monday, February 7, 2011 1:36 PM

When all else has failed,I use a bit of strategicaly placed Liquid Nails.

  • Member since
    March 2006
Posted by TD4438 on Monday, February 7, 2011 1:45 PM

E6000 is another good adhesive for extreme situations.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Monday, February 7, 2011 4:00 PM

Part and Eduard both make 1/72 scale PE tracks for a limited variety of vehicles.

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Philadelphia PA
Posted by smeagol the vile on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 4:06 AM

Wana know the honest truth for me?  If it is going to be seen, like as a show piece without a base, then try super glue once you get it in position. 

If NOT like it has a base it cant be removed from, or its just for you... hell, I have used stapels in the past and they work fine, just keep them in a place, like the bottom, where they wont be seen.

 

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Truro Nova Scotia, Canada
Posted by SuppressionFire on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 5:28 AM

Regardless of how you connect the tracks plan on strategically hiding the joint on the base or tank. German skirt armor or modern AFV's with side armor makes this easy. The rest require a bit more imagination.

Last spring I hid the fact my Tamiya 1/48 scale Sherman was missing a sprue that had 1/2 the tracks, boggies and light guards! 'Thin Ice' was the resulting vignette and basically 1/2 the tank was modeled 'broken through' ice.

Another twist came up when I was 1 track link short on the complete side! A oil can and extra gear was placed to hide the missing link to look like it had been recently off loaded and placed there.

 

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/razordws/GB%20Badges/WMIIIGBsmall.jpg

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by fullmetal2011 on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 3:04 PM

I totally agree with hiding your connection or shortness of tracks.  My problem with that is I'm to much of a perfectionist LOL.  I know a track is missing or something may not be mounted the way it should be, eventhough no one else will know or even see it. 

My other problem is i do a lot of wargaming.  So, most of my piecese not all of them are used for wargaming.  Now its nice to have great looking units, but you dont want anyone touching them due to the event of breaking something on them.  So, for me its a fine line between a model looking great and not being able to use it for wargaming.  Or having a moderately nice looking unit, but unable to use it on the gaming table.

But thanks for all the information.  I went out and bought some liquid nail going to try it with some scrap tracks to see how well they stand up.

fullmetal2011

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 6:56 PM

I share your grief about the crappy 1/72 tracks that shame Dragon's otherwise wonderfully-presented armor models. I honestly thought about selling off my entire collection, so disgusted with the lack of indy-links am I.

I hate to say it, but sometimes the best option is to get another Revell kit that has the individual link tracks and use those. Especially for any vehicle that you want to model with realistic sag.

I really hate that Dragon/DML use those rubber bands! Angry

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Perth, Western Australia
Posted by madmike on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 11:46 PM

With rubber band tracks (not Dragon DS) I cut the join connectors off and sew the ends together with black thread. I then ensure the join is placed under a road wheel. With weathering, the join is all but invisible.

Here is one I prepared earlier Smile

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." - Galileo Galilei
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Philadelphia PA
Posted by smeagol the vile on Thursday, February 17, 2011 12:22 PM

Just did an airfix 1/76th scale WWI female tank.  UGH the tracks are horrible.  There rubber band, very little detail, NO detail on the sides and the sides show too...

 

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