Panda Plastics is the company who took over an established and well received line of injection molded polystyrene tracks formerly sold by RHPS Models several years ago. In rapid succession, the first seven products from the RHPS catalog were released and now, a worn T-48 tracks had been added. These were released at the 2009 AMPS Nationals which I was unable to attend.
With all the discussion I came across lately on burnt Shermans and their tracks, especially after seeing how the new Bronco Sherman tracks assemble, I was pleasantly surprised to find this set waiting for me.
The package contains separate sprues for the track pads and end connectors in a long thick clear plastic bag to which a double printed heavy paper header is stapled on. The double printing is because the inside of the header serves as an instruction sheet, a carry over from the RHPS header. Even the logo is identical with only the brand name and contact information being separate.
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_1_20101117_1125983243.jpg
The header is a slightly different color, see photo one where the new set is on the right. Also, it is marked as M4 revised.
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This set is to represent the burnt out tracks displaying the skeletal remains. In the bag were 29 track pad sprues (each containing six pads for a total of 174 links) to which the end connector (on 29 sprues with a dozen pieces on each) are added. These are enough track links for any variant of the M3 or M4 medium tank and also suitable for the M4 series High Speed Tractor as sold by Hobby Boss. FYI, the normal track length Shermans used 79 links per side, the longer track base (M4A4 & M4A6) used 83 links while the HST used 65 links per side.
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_2_20101117_1944347355.jpg
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_3_20101117_1339322185.jpg
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_4_20101117_1471440587.jpg
Assembly is fool proof and the track pads fit either way. A jig, as offered by some companies or seen in Steve Zaloga’s Sherman Modeling books from Osprey Publishing, makes assembly easier. A few of the end connectors may need the track pin holes reamed out with a drill bit but one must be careful not to eliminate the friction fit. This ‘friction fit’ is what makes the tracks semi-workable. If an end connector fits loosely, slightly crimping the pin (just enough to deform it yet fit inside the end connector‘s hole and be hidden) will restore the friction fit. Since the pieces are made from a High Impact Polystyrene, they can handle some abuse.
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_5_20101117_1384381957.jpg
I found it easiest to cut the sprues on the end connectors allowing my to get closer with my Xuron shears. See the photographs. The last photos show a run of skeletal tracks.
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_6_20101117_1699767805.jpg
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_7_20101117_1507727952.jpg
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_8_20101117_1218374641.jpg
After placing on the model, it is recommended to run thin cement along the end connector to track pad joints to ensure none come apart later. Remember that these tracks are ‘live’ and tend to curl inwards so no track sag should be seen. This ‘curling’ effect should be taken into consideration if one wishes to model the tracks partially or completely off the vehicle. Another thing to consider is the placement of the idler so that a complete run without any sag can be used. Modification of the idler mount may be required or one can use the replacement items as sold by Formations Models and TMD.
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_9_20101117_1504166002.jpg
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_10_20101117_1708433420.jpg
/images/stories/img_pictures/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_11_20101117_1037836628.jpg
As for accuracy, these tracks do indeed display the proper tubular skeleton of a Sherman track. Mike Canaday was involved in the development of these tracks. One does not need to make a complete set of both runs as many photographs showed only a portion of the tracks with the rubber completely burnt off. This makes them easy to mix and match with any of the other rubber Panda Plastics tracks. The measurements are also quite good meaning that their fit to most kit drive sprockets (AFV Club, Dragon, Italeri, and Tasca) is acceptable with only the Academy kit being an exception. The instructions indicate to thin the teeth to allow for a 0.375 inch (9.5mm) space between the sprocket rings. I find it easier to just place a shim in between the two sprocket wheel halves of the kit and this method is now mentioned in the instructions. About the only thing I wish were better are the retaining bolts on each of the end connectors. Perhaps one day the sprue will be modified to include wedge bolts one can shave off and add?
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_12_20101117_1563443697.jpg
In the last photo, I have used the same one from my T-51 review to show the fit. The left two sprockets are those from Academy’s M4A2 Late and the upper right photo is of Tasca’s Mid Production M4A1. The lower right shows the tracks on the Hobby Boss sprocket from their HST kits.
The reappearance of these molds at this time is a fortuitous one as there are now several new kits which can use them. Now with new products being developed, we Allied modelers can rejoice at the choice. Being polystyrene plastic, it can be assembled and painted in the same manner as the other kit items.
My thanks go to Panda Plastics for the review samples. Order directly from them by sending an e-mail. Visit their web site, Panda Plastics, for more information on the complete line. The tracks are also available through Formations Models.
With all the discussion I came across lately on burnt Shermans and their tracks, especially after seeing how the new Bronco Sherman tracks assemble, I was pleasantly surprised to find this set waiting for me.
The package contains separate sprues for the track pads and end connectors in a long thick clear plastic bag to which a double printed heavy paper header is stapled on. The double printing is because the inside of the header serves as an instruction sheet, a carry over from the RHPS header. Even the logo is identical with only the brand name and contact information being separate.
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_1_20101117_1125983243.jpg
The header is a slightly different color, see photo one where the new set is on the right. Also, it is marked as M4 revised.
------------------------------------
This set is to represent the burnt out tracks displaying the skeletal remains. In the bag were 29 track pad sprues (each containing six pads for a total of 174 links) to which the end connector (on 29 sprues with a dozen pieces on each) are added. These are enough track links for any variant of the M3 or M4 medium tank and also suitable for the M4 series High Speed Tractor as sold by Hobby Boss. FYI, the normal track length Shermans used 79 links per side, the longer track base (M4A4 & M4A6) used 83 links while the HST used 65 links per side.
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_2_20101117_1944347355.jpg
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_3_20101117_1339322185.jpg
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_4_20101117_1471440587.jpg
Assembly is fool proof and the track pads fit either way. A jig, as offered by some companies or seen in Steve Zaloga’s Sherman Modeling books from Osprey Publishing, makes assembly easier. A few of the end connectors may need the track pin holes reamed out with a drill bit but one must be careful not to eliminate the friction fit. This ‘friction fit’ is what makes the tracks semi-workable. If an end connector fits loosely, slightly crimping the pin (just enough to deform it yet fit inside the end connector‘s hole and be hidden) will restore the friction fit. Since the pieces are made from a High Impact Polystyrene, they can handle some abuse.
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_5_20101117_1384381957.jpg
I found it easiest to cut the sprues on the end connectors allowing my to get closer with my Xuron shears. See the photographs. The last photos show a run of skeletal tracks.
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_6_20101117_1699767805.jpg
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_7_20101117_1507727952.jpg
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_8_20101117_1218374641.jpg
After placing on the model, it is recommended to run thin cement along the end connector to track pad joints to ensure none come apart later. Remember that these tracks are ‘live’ and tend to curl inwards so no track sag should be seen. This ‘curling’ effect should be taken into consideration if one wishes to model the tracks partially or completely off the vehicle. Another thing to consider is the placement of the idler so that a complete run without any sag can be used. Modification of the idler mount may be required or one can use the replacement items as sold by Formations Models and TMD.
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_9_20101117_1504166002.jpg
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_10_20101117_1708433420.jpg
/images/stories/img_pictures/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_11_20101117_1037836628.jpg
As for accuracy, these tracks do indeed display the proper tubular skeleton of a Sherman track. Mike Canaday was involved in the development of these tracks. One does not need to make a complete set of both runs as many photographs showed only a portion of the tracks with the rubber completely burnt off. This makes them easy to mix and match with any of the other rubber Panda Plastics tracks. The measurements are also quite good meaning that their fit to most kit drive sprockets (AFV Club, Dragon, Italeri, and Tasca) is acceptable with only the Academy kit being an exception. The instructions indicate to thin the teeth to allow for a 0.375 inch (9.5mm) space between the sprocket rings. I find it easier to just place a shim in between the two sprocket wheel halves of the kit and this method is now mentioned in the instructions. About the only thing I wish were better are the retaining bolts on each of the end connectors. Perhaps one day the sprue will be modified to include wedge bolts one can shave off and add?
/images/stories/img_originals/sharkmouth_24/ppskeletal_12_20101117_1563443697.jpg
In the last photo, I have used the same one from my T-51 review to show the fit. The left two sprockets are those from Academy’s M4A2 Late and the upper right photo is of Tasca’s Mid Production M4A1. The lower right shows the tracks on the Hobby Boss sprocket from their HST kits.
The reappearance of these molds at this time is a fortuitous one as there are now several new kits which can use them. Now with new products being developed, we Allied modelers can rejoice at the choice. Being polystyrene plastic, it can be assembled and painted in the same manner as the other kit items.
My thanks go to Panda Plastics for the review samples. Order directly from them by sending an e-mail. Visit their web site, Panda Plastics, for more information on the complete line. The tracks are also available through Formations Models.