KT Tracks comparaison
Comments
DonatienThanks, i didn't found such a comparison in 1:48
Is it worth the money ? I my opinion, yes 🙂
Spanjaardi have Tiger I (Friulmodel ATL-4807, 1:48) waiting in my stash, glad to know that is probably good (you use Tiger II Hunting Tiger (Friulmodel ATL-4806, 1:48) in your comparison), i guess they must be similar quality
CortexI got the Heavy Hobby set, will assemble a section and send the pic you to add to the comparison
Tiger I Workable Track Early type (Heavy Hobby PT-48001, 1:48)
Donatien@Cortex, I built Tiger 1 with heavy hobby, too (and i have panther tracks in the same brand).
It's much better than original tracks, but assembly is a little fragile and tricky.
Don't try to assemble them from the side (the 2 tracks at the same level). I found it's easier to put already assembled tracks on the table, and assemble the new tracks from above.
it's difficult to explain, but there are only 2 ways to assemble tracks : by side, or above 😅
Good idea, i'll also add panther tracks. Currently, i don't have Friul ones yet. And only Tamiya and hobby boss models.
Donatien@Spanjaard, i built 1/35 Fruil Tiger 1 tracks (but not yet the model), and very few cleanup was also necessary.
I'm very pleased by last years, Friul quality 😊
Matthias WeissHey guys, I've been working on this kit lately and found a massive flaw on the tracks!
You can see the issue here, part G1 has one link too much which leads to huge fitting issues when you finally managed to wrap the links around the sprocket and idler wheel.
imghost.net/gmPcY8sCLmavsGc
The only chance to link them is by sagging them more than requested which will give the model an awkward look.
I've tried to assemble them 3 times before I found that issue. Unfortunately I can't find aftermarket replacements in China so I'm thinking of a solution now.
Take care, better buy aftermarket right away if you want to go for this kit!
Cortex@Matthias Weiss which tracks excatly, kit's original tracks are the one with major fit flaw?
Matthias WeissYes, the kit tracks don't fit. There's one link too much on the G1 track piece which leads to fitting issues all the way through.
DonatienThanks for the information, @Matthias
I've not started yet the Ustar KT, and i was wondering if it was necessary to buy friul or trex tracks for this recent model.
I'll save myself a headache, and include missing KT tracks in my next order 😉
Matthias WeissAbsolutely recommended to buy aftermarket tracks right away.
Be aware however not to bin the kit tracks without taking off the spare tracks for the turret from the sprues.
They are on the same sprues as the main tracks and can be overlooked easily.
Album info
I'm currently building 1/48 afv, and i've some difficulties with tracks and links : i like to paint sprockets/wheels and tracks separately.
Tracks are difficult to glue properly at the end of the process, my skills aren't great 🙂
I'm trying Friul and Trex tracks to build my Tamiya Jagtiger and Tamiya / Ustar King Tigers.
Friuls
First, content is as usual : Friul package contains tracks and wire to connect them.
Casting quality is very good for metal tracks, with good details (much more than Tamiya or Ustar ones). Very few cleanup is needed. 10 years ago, i had a lot of cleanup on 1/35 Friul KT tracks, but tracks quality is very good on the late years.
I counted 115 pairs of tracks, which are enough for a KT (46 pairs on each side) or a jagdtiger (47 pairs on each side)
Notice tells to drill tracks, and use 0.4 mm wire to connect them, but i chose not to drill tracks, and use 0.3 mm wire. I saved a lot of time, and wire don't go off the tracks after that. I even don't need to glue wire, best solution as i want to burnish tracks later.
The final result is great, i noticed that assembled tracks are not always perfectly aligned, not a big deal. Tracks width seems to be a very little under scaled : the tracks don't go all the way around the sprockets (see pictures), except for Tamiya KT model. I think on finished model, it won't be a problem : the tracks are only on some teethes of the sprocket.
Pro : natural sag, very good quality, quick and easy linking, burnishing compatible. Much easier to paint and assemble on model, compared to original tracks.
Con : small under scale tracks width
Trex
T rex package contains tracks and resin pins to connect them (one on each side).
Casting quality is excellent, even the small details of the tracks have been reproduced, and overall aspect is very smooth (no printing lines). In terms of aspect fidelity, these are the best tracks, much better than Tamiya / Ustar ones.
I counted 115 pairs of tracks, which are enough for a KT (46 pairs on each side) or a jagdtiger (47 pairs on each side)
Notice tells to put a pin on each side of the tracks, but these pins are very fragile. I broke some of them, and then i realized that pins go off when i manipulate assembled tracks 🙁 I may could try to glue pins at the end of the tracks, but glue could prevent tracks being movable, and the glue spot maybe visible... So i decided to use 0.3 mm wire to connect tracks. This solution saves a lot of time, is much stronger, and wire don't fall off the tracks (even without glue). The counterpart is : track have no more nuts at the end of the pins (which are present on Friul and original tracks). Some pictures show tracks with original pins, and others with wire.
However, the final result is great and the sprockets fitting is excellent (see pictures)
Pro : Excellent details, movable tracks, quick and easy linking (when using wire). Much easier to paint and assemble on model, compared to original tracks.
Con : Fragile pins, no nuts at the end of pins when using wire
Conclusion : i'm happy with these aftermarket tracks, which have much better looking, compared to original tracks and links. They are much easier to paint and assemble on the finished model.
Between Friul and Trex, it's difficult to choose : if you're enough careful to use resin pins, Trex have the better looking and fitting. I'm not 100% objective, as i like Friul tracks, as i used them on some 1/35 afv. Good news, only KT tracks are available at Trex and Friul, so it depends of which model you're building (Elephant = Tex), Tiger I, Panther and Pz III/IV = Friul).
These tracks cost the same price than model itself, but i take much more pleasure to build a model with them. Highly recommended
