Modelkasten Tiger II tracks. Lots of pics. 2 more pics added

hehehe, aren't we all insane. I use a wash technique from this page http://www.naritafamily.com/howto/howtoindex.htm I use the technique that he uses on the Tiger I tracks. Its pastel chalk powder mixed with acrylic thinner. Simple. This guy even makes rubber tracks look great.

Good articles , that whole tiger tank looks kool , I will have to try that technique on my next set of tracks , the finished product looks pretty darn good . BTW did you see that USS missouri dio on this same page ? Just awesome work !!!

From the pics I may have to give MK tracks a try.
I've done Fruils and recommend them, the sag is awesome.

I use Model Kasten tracks almost exclusively and I have never had a problem with them coming apart after painting.

Monrad, I just noticed in one of your pics that you put glue just at the base. Man that must take you forever. I dip the peg in glue and remove excess if I have to. I have never had a problem with them not being workable. The glue actually pulls back when you insert it into place.

Cheers

Mo

QUOTE: Originally posted by Moses I use Model Kasten tracks almost exclusively and I have never had a problem with them coming apart after painting. Monrad, I just noticed in one of your pics that you put glue just at the base. Man that must take you forever. I dip the peg in glue and remove excess if I have to. I have never had a problem with them not being workable. The glue actually pulls back when you insert it into place. Cheers Mo

hmm no not really. When I use an old fine pointed paint brush its not that difficult to put the glue exactly where I want it, and that way Im sure that they stay workable.

I prefer Fruil tracks over any plastic tracks, including MK's. I found a short cut to assembling Fruil tracks - instead of using the flimsy wire that comes with them, I went to the sewing section at Wal Mart and bought straight pins, (you know, the ones my wife uses to hem a garment). These work great and allow me to fully assemble a set of track in about twenty minutes. The heads of the pins can be easily snipped off and presto, you have a nice set of working metal tracks that give the right "sag" etc. The other advantage to Fruilmodel is the center guides etc will easily show bare metal wear by gentle scraping of the paint in syrategic areas. I will continue to use them on all my future armor projects.

Steve

Glad to hear that you have had good experiences with Friulmodelisimo tracks. Like I said earlier, the reason I choose Modelkasten is because I like working with plastic.
Maybe you could do a thread like this on how to assemble Friul tracks!! Im sure alot of members would appreciate it.

Well I am going to go against my better judgement and try MK's once again using monrads weathering technique , for a future project ( late Panther G) I do like the thinness and accuracy of the Mk tracks ,I never knocked them in that dept . I do think my weathering did lead to the demise of my JT tracks , it must have melted them ( the pins that is ) . So being basically insane anyways myself, and always up for a challenge , monrad has talked me into trying them once again , who knows perhaps I may become a convert after these ! will post picks while the tank is in progress , or my head in the wall whichever comes first !

I hope you get better results this time, I really do.

I commend your courage in going back for another try, hope it works out better for you this time around.

What an interesting thread! Thanks for sharing your experiences everyone, as this is "the next step up" for a modeller of my ability, and I have one kit that I could justify the cost for, in a year or so when my skills are up to it. This has been very interesting.

Thanks for all this info. I was just searching for a way to paint my tracks for my Little Stug III. Great post. I will practice tonight and see how things work out.

On the subject of Friul tracks vs. MK tracks, how do the Fruil tracks clean up? Is there flash and mold seams to cleanup? the MK tracks are really nick with little cleanup with the proper removal of the parts from the sprues.

Also, anyone built resin tracks from Accurate Armor? I just picked up a set cheap from Ebay and was just wondering if they're worth messing with. They glue up like indys, not workable, so that's a drawback, but still better that rubber bands I suppose.

Anyway, thanks for all this great info.

Ted