MiniArt Grant Mk.1

[Iron Mike]

Now you know why I don't generally build Allied armor. I don't have a definite answer or suggestion beyond a set of aftermarket tracks. Bugger, those kit tracks look awful.

 

[paddy]

I can see a way to do it now but its taken me an hour to do 5 links., there are 160 links so 32 hours......will i lose the will to live before that and at what point does doing something for fun sort of defeat itself

 

[Rhino]

ATL-047 SHERMAN T51 type - Friulmodel Webshop

SHERMAN T51 type : 200 links in 1/35 th scale . the system for assembling the ATL-047 tracks has changed. Now you do not need the wire. For this reason, the wire is not included in the package.

friulmodel.hu

Mike and I have the same thought. I am no expert, but I wonder if these are more user-friendly?

 

[paddy]

I found this on another build blog which made me smile ....Track progress is slow-just another 10 or so links (in two nights, I’m 25% through one side!).

Glad its not just me.

Most build blogs use these

Captcha

www.super-hobby.co.uk

however as an engineer i need to solve the problem of what i have rather than just buying something else. that said one of the things that really rattles an engineer is "over engineering" things. It goes against what engineers do and this is over engineered for no real advantage IMHO.

But unfortunately its a challenge so has to met head on

 

[Heavens Eagle]

What I usually do in a case like this is sit in front of the telly, clip and clean up all the parts and divy them up into separate little containers.

(easy for me as I am a container king)

Then, on this I would probably dig out my massive aluminum jig and make a setup to hold and easily clamp things in place while applying small amounts of solvent glue. Once all the parts are fully cleaned up I find things can flow a lot easier.

 

[paddy]

OK this is my recipe for tank tracks

firstly you need to add all the parts to a handy container like a whisky glass ( drink the Whisky first)

then add 4 drops of glue, dont over do it, four will be fine

Give it all a good shake for about 2 minutes.

And that seems to do the trick

Seriously though there is no quick way to do this, i tried an assortment of home made jigs but problem is the end plates with the pins are all rounded and simply will not sit in position so its a case of slowly assembling using manual dexterity

I have done one side, 79 links and still have the other side to do but i think 80 links will be better if there are any spares as 79 is a tight as a guitar string

 

[errains]

I've Been Doing It Wrong All These Years!!

I would say you a handle on them tracks....good work!!!

 

[Iron Mike]

Clever.

 

[moon puppy]

Wonder if it works for Friuls

 

[Heavens Eagle]

 

[paddy]

Quick question

the instructions say the tracks should have 79 links. I thought that looked a little tight so this is a picture with 80 links

This looks a lot better to me but am i right or should they be tighter ?

 

[Iron Mike]

Removing that extra link should do it.

 

[Barney]

I have had the solution for years, don't build armor... unless it just has wheels.

 

[JSteinman]

Go with 79. US-made tracks are live - ie they do not sag like German or Russian tracks.

 

[moon puppy]

 

[paddy]

Its quite hard to find colour pictures of tank tracks in the desert, most are either models or colourized pictures but i found this Israeli tank

.

 

[moon puppy]

Yep, dusty.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

I also figured out a long time ago to find the wheel that adjusts the track tension and do the mounting last. That way the tension adjustment can be done properly.

 

[Brokeneagle]

Looks fine - just how they should be.

 

[Sharkmouth]

From the manual:

Regards,