QUOTE: Originally posted by thebigguy69
I would like some suggestions as well as names of after market treads, metal is preferable, or plastic. |
|
Big Guy, there are several options. As the Major points out, Tamiya themselves make a single-link aftermarket set. I can't speak to their quality, but one assumes they are good.
Ones I am more familiar with are the Friulmodel ones and the modelkasten ones. Friul is metal, modelkasten is plastic. The MK treads are put together by poking a little pin into the side of each link, whereas with friul, you slip a wire through the entire link and it holds the two links together.
There, that wasn't at all confusing, was it?
These things are expensive. They look tres cool though. They are a king tiger-sized pain in the butt to put together, don't let anyone fool you. Not that it's hard, but it is very, very time consuming. I've also had the modelkasten treads pull apartwhile you are working on a length of them, which will ruin your day!
The good part, as I said, is that they look so very cool. Another good thing is that they are available in transport mode, and you can get the later single type treads for the really late Tiger IIs as well. I think the modelkasten links themselves look just ever so slightly better than the Friul, but for me it's more than compensated by the incredible hang-look of the heavy metal Friul treads. I use Friul for that, and because they are sturdier.
Here's a place to get the Friul treads cheep cheep, as the small bird was ruimored to say:
http://www.discountmodels.com/fruil_tracks.htm
Haven't used MK since I had a frustrating experience with a Panzer III a few years back, so don't have a ready suggestion for a retailer. Anyone?
EDIT: oh, one more thing. Sometimes the kit sprockets don't work with the fancy pants single link treads, so the links box will sometimes include a sprocket. You may have to yank the kit sprocket off. I'm sure that makes you very happy to hear, but IMO it's worth all the work and the dough.
Live long and prosper,
Larry