| smithsco | 30 Dec 2022 2:14 p.m. PST |
I started by making model airplanes as a kid. Discovered wargaming and wargames in 20mm for a long time. As a modeler I love aircraft. They have some finicky parts but nothing like model tank treads. Thankfully when I did WWII gaming in 20mm there were a lot of easy build kits where the treads were one piece. I've moved into 28mm. Warlord's kits are fairly straightforward and easy. But still the multipart treads for some kits? Bane of my existence. End rant. I know some modelers may love as might some who are both. Any wargamers with me on 28mm meeting the future of one part tracks? |
| 14Bore | 30 Dec 2022 4:17 p.m. PST |
Did lots of 1-35 WWII tanks in early 70s, seems to me all had rubberized 1 piece tank treads. If they didn't maybe snap together. |
Col Durnford  | 30 Dec 2022 6:51 p.m. PST |
Those rubber/plastic treads do not age well. They will become very brittle and fall apart. Be very cautious of old unbuilt kits. While the multi part treads are a pain to build, I'm sure they will hold up better. Once in place on the tanks, I usually apply some superglue to the roller/treads. |
 Herkybird | 30 Dec 2022 7:09 p.m. PST |
I tend to use Polyurethane varnish on rubber tracks, before undercoating and painting, it has seemed to protect them from the dreaded Track rot! |
| smithsco | 30 Dec 2022 9:26 p.m. PST |
I bought a few models in 1/72 and 1/48 scale that had small pieces of tread you glued together or in a one case each individual pieces for the entire tread. I only had one with the rubber tread. M60 model. I gave up modeling armored vehicles just because of the treads. |
| BrockLanders | 30 Dec 2022 10:35 p.m. PST |
I build a lot of tank kits in 1/48 scale, mostly Tamiya brand. While the multi piece treads can be a bit of a pain, with practice they usually assemble pretty quickly. One key is to follow the directions closely as far as positioning, and making sure each piece is facing the right direction. One big advantage with multi part tracks is being able to turn kits into convincing destroyed/tracked vehicles, several of which I've done. Makes for some nice battlefield scenery |
| Martin Rapier | 31 Dec 2022 3:11 a.m. PST |
I've got models with rubber tracks in both 1/76 and 1/35 scale which I built in the 1970s and tracks are as good as the day I put them on. Perhaps rubber rot depends how you store them? I have built a few kits with multi part tracks, dear me, what a faff. Give me single piece tracks any time. These are wargaming pieces, not high fidelity models. |
| Herkybird | 31 Dec 2022 7:26 p.m. PST |
Indeed, my favourites are where the tracks and wheels are cast as one! |
| Zephyr1 | 31 Dec 2022 10:08 p.m. PST |
Well, if you want even more fun, try making replacement tracks out of caulk & fiber mesh… ;-) |
