Zvezda/Italeri No.282 T-34/77Tracks

[Augustus]

So I buy this old kit second hand for a couple of bucks, I don't expect much. It arrives today, and on quick first glimpses the plastic is not too bad, very little flash etc.

But the tracks, oh my God, I have never seen anything like it in me life. Terrible, no gaps, spaces etc between links, just solid with flash running the length on the outer.

Now of course I'm gonna cover them in crud, but is there anything else I can do. I've removed the flash and used a scalpel to cut just the outer part where the links meet to try to make them look individual (not a great success). Any other ideas?

IMG_5915.JPG

[digger303]

Look like trumpeter tracks.....buy aftermarket tracks. masterbox do a set

[Augustus]

Can't find anywhere doing Masterbox ones, can find Mini-Art Cheap,just takes the point out of buying a cheap kit when you have to buy extras. oh well, ya live and learn!

[digger303]

Can't find anywhere doing Masterbox ones, can find Mini-Art Cheap,just takes the point out of buying a cheap kit when you have to buy extras. oh well, ya live and learn!

sorry should have said masterclub also Maquette-MSD, AFV CLUB and miniart of course.

You might be able to pick up a set off Tony Clarke or Mark Budgja flick them a message.

[Augustus]

Are yeah, I know them, will get in touch, cheers mate.

[SteelScooter]

I would continue what you did with the scalpel. Very carefully nick each part of the track where there is meant to be a gap and they will go round the sprocket etc as if they were individual links. Obviously this is a task for when spare time out-weighs spare cash.

Edit: there are some decent AFV Club rubber band tracks in an eBay auction at the moment or some Miniart individual tracks for £11.55 delivered.

[digger303]

cheapest I could find at 19 posted, but I was shocked looking at the prices for plastic tracks with a lot around the 40 mark......damn ridiculous. the friulmodel price BEING CHEAPER AT 38 http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/page/advanc ... esult.html
http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/ugwgtk ... qquiv.html

[Augustus]

I will carry on what I'm doing with the tracks but don't think it will make that much difference. I don't mind spending the time, whereas I don't see the point in spending more for tracks than what the kit cost (I bought second hand), then the rest of the kit letting the tracks down!

I believe the best way for me is to use the kit for practice (but still model it to the best of my abilities), learn a lesson and buy a decent T-34 kit.

I'll do a work in progress when I start.

But, as always, many thanks for your input guys.

[TheNordus]

Huh, those look like every set of rubberband T-34 tracks I've seen to me? Anyway, I just wanted to warn you never to buy Masterbox track sets. They're horrible to put together.

[digger303]

Huh, those look like every set of rubberband T-34 tracks I've seen to me? Anyway, I just wanted to warn you never to buy Masterbox track sets. They're horrible to put together.

I did and yes I put them together whilst watching telly and they did take a while, but hey this isn't about how quick you put a kit together. The pins were a trial I broke a few then I reverted to drilling them out and things went much smoother, but not perfect. Very easy to drill off line. ALL tweezer work with an Optivisor I'm afraid.