German Tank Tracks

[jknaus]

One of my pet peeves is the modelling of German Tank Tracks and adding rust to them. I've mentioned this before, but having watched the newest Night Shift you tube video I commented there and figured I mention it here again also.
German track was made of highly rust resistant steel.
From Google. "German WWII tank tracks were primarily made from high-manganese steel alloy for durability and wear resistance, though early tracks might have used other alloys or even been made of magnesium-heavy alloy. This high-manganese steel contained corrosion-inhibiting elements that prevented the rapid, bright red rusting seen on simpler iron, instead wearing to a dull, dark brown or goldy-brown surface."
James

 

[Heavens Eagle]

I always do the bare steel surfaces on the track links where there would be wear from the road wheels and other parts doing constant wear. Then the rest is just dirt, mud, and dust on them with paint that hasn't worn off. You never see that much rust on the old WWII vehicles anyway. There was moisture and mud, but no salt. The salt that is used on roads is what causes fast rust and anything that was in Africa would definitely NOT have any rust on it over the period of years the DAK was in Africa.

 

[moon puppy]

Only thing I know about german tracks is what I learned here. And it was probably from you James.