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Tamiya Easy Eight

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  • Member since
    April 2023
  • From: New mexico
Tamiya Easy Eight
Posted by John3M on Thursday, April 11, 2024 4:18 PM

Tamiya 35346 1/35 US Medium Tank M4A3E8 
im wanting to replace the rubber tracks with metal I don't have experience ordering this and don't want to mess up not sure where a good metal track would be found...

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Thursday, April 11, 2024 4:54 PM

Look on Scalemates to see what metal tracks are available for this kit, and check out some reviews on the products. Metal tracks often require some drilling and wire work to assemble them, as well as "blackening" the metal to give them a proper appearance. 

 

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  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: On my kitchen counter top somewhere in North Carolina.
Posted by disastermaster on Friday, April 12, 2024 8:37 AM

Below is the Tamiya 35346 1/35 US

M4A3E8 Medium Tank I built several

years ago.

I used the rubber kit racks on it.

 

 https://i.imgur.com/LjRRaV1.png

 

 

 
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Friday, April 12, 2024 9:36 AM

The above posted model is not an M4A3E8, but a standard M4A3. 

The M4A3E8 used a HVSS (Horizontal Volute Suspension System), not the VVSS (Vertical Volute Suspension System) like the standard M4A3.  It also used wider T66 tracks.

Tamiya's M4A3E8

 

Back to the initial question...

You need to look for metal T66 tracks for your M4A3E8.  

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

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  • Member since
    April 2023
  • From: New mexico
Posted by John3M on Friday, April 12, 2024 10:49 AM

genuinely nice build and diorama

thanks for the track links. I have an idea on the rubber. i may try etching the rubber to eliminate most of the gloss. I may try TSP like the old days when you use TSP to etch prior to painting. I'll test a rubber piece first. If that does not work, I have an airbrush sandblaster that blasts small grains of etching powder. I know the difficulties with paint and rubber, but I sort of enjoy a challenge..........to an extent Super Angry

  • Member since
    April 2023
  • From: New mexico
Posted by John3M on Friday, April 12, 2024 7:34 PM

I have an airbrush that is a sandblaster I used it on the rubber tracks it removed all the gloss and left behind a nice Matt finish with micro size pits to hold the paint it did not remove any detail it's not that aggressive I airbrushed the primer and it looks like it may work ok 

finally got the tracks painted and mounted and I have determined I don't like rubber band tracks

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: On my kitchen counter top somewhere in North Carolina.
Posted by disastermaster on Sunday, April 14, 2024 12:53 AM

HeavyArty

The above posted model is not an M4A3E8, but a standard M4A3. 

You're right. It's been twelve years since I built that.

Just wasn't thinking....

Below is the A3E2 kit that I used.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/7swAAOSwE29lBAcm/s-l1600.jpg

A lot of scratchbuilding was involved using the older kit.

 https://mikesresearchcom.files.wordpress.com/2023/09/jumbo-1.jpg

 https://i.imgur.com/LjRRaV1.png

 

 

 
  • Member since
    April 2023
  • From: New mexico
Posted by John3M on Sunday, April 14, 2024 11:22 AM

ok I watched a YouTube on tracks and I'm thinking I make learn to be ok with them..............like i have a choiceSuper Angry

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: On my kitchen counter top somewhere in North Carolina.
Posted by disastermaster on Monday, April 15, 2024 1:01 AM

 You can add some texture like pitting or tiny gouges on the track contact surfaces (rubber pads). If you are using the Dragon (DS) tracks from a dragon kit you can lay the tracks down (while not on the tank) and apply Tamiya thin cement to a few sections (3 or 4 links) at a time and then pressing them (NOT RUBBING) with #60 or #100 sandpaper to give a used look.

 When you weather them, those small impressions will pop up and give a more realistic appearance. If you don't feel at ease trying this then try it first on a bottom area of the track that won't be seen.

Getting in a hurry only brings it's own problems.

Aways think ahead.

Good Luck.

 Click or copy for info on DS Tracks

https://cs.finescale.com/fsm/tools_techniques_and_reference_materials/f/13/t/179437.aspx

 https://i.imgur.com/LjRRaV1.png

 

 

 
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