135
Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - 04:31 AM UTC
MiniArt is working on a set of workable tracks that will be valid for early models of Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks.
The set comes with plastic tracks and pins that allow to build them workable, plus a jig to keep the track links in place while building it.

These tracks can be used with all Panzer III from A to F, Panzer IV from A to E and Stug III A. The number of links will depend on the vehicle.
Click Star to Rate
5 readers have rated this story.
Get a daily email with links to all our latest news, reviews, and features.

Comments

Hmmm... I think that once you put the pins in place, nothing prevents you to drop some glue over the links and turn them into non-workable tracks like any other plastic ones. Having said that, my little experience with pinned workable tracks is not that good either, but that was before I knew you first insert a section of pins and then you cut them from the sprue.
OCT 12, 2016 - 06:32 PM
Hi, Carlos! Yeaaah, that's SUPPOSED to be the way it's done, but A LOT of modellers wind up doing it by cutting the pins off the sprues, resulting in a lot of lost pins and frustration. Even so, the MODELKASTENS are still fiddly, and VERY FRAGILE, so they always seem to break apart at the most inopportune moments! The MODELKASTEN Tracks offer beautiful detail, but DAMMIT, THERE THEY GO AGAIN!!! I find that the MODELKASTENS are made of a very "glue-sensitive" polystyrene-plastic, which likes to melt, and adds to the general misery that is associated with them. I much prefer to dribble a little bit of CA adhesive over my aftermarket Tracks in strategic places, to help prevent that "breakage-and-separation" kind of thing from happening, but assembly and placement of MODELKASTEN Tracks still requires a lot of planning ahead, gentle fingers AND PATIENCE!!!
OCT 12, 2016 - 07:08 PM
I prefer the Friul method of using a single metal pin to attach each link to the other. the runs are tougher and less fiddly to assemble, even if wire isn't that good at representng the bolt on the outwards facing side.
OCT 12, 2016 - 07:40 PM
These could be good if the price is right. Friuls are very nice, but their price is insane. The MiniArt tracks I have assembled for their Pz. III Ausf. A go together well and function nicely if you use their jig.
OCT 12, 2016 - 08:41 PM
WOW Super! That makes a lot of Dragons Tanks attractive since now you can throw the damn vinyltracks in the trash where they belong
OCT 12, 2016 - 10:29 PM
AGREE...
OCT 13, 2016 - 12:28 AM
If I am correct these are the same as will be in the Bronco Afrika Korpe Stug kit and that's had good reviews personaly i find drilling holes in hundreds of metal track links then having to clip lengths of wire to have spent over £26 for just to get a sag that is often over done too much I like the jig and hints to pin batches of 7 just hope there is no flash.
OCT 13, 2016 - 01:01 AM
In my opinion Tamiya has the best solution and that is in their 48th kits and that is link and length ,simple easy to use and they look good .Indy track will always look better and Dragons magic track i thought was good in the box solution. Quite why Dragon have gone to that DS rubbish beats me .Rubber band track are a 70's thing and should remain there and if its a cost thing why dont they sell them as an accessory. There are so many options out there it really is down to your preference and wallet. Have fun Wayne
OCT 13, 2016 - 01:16 AM
Hi, Wayne! There are a few 1/35 TAMIYA Tank kits that feature "Link-and-length" Tracks, which are quite nice, IMO- Right off the top of my head, the IS-2, IS-152 and their really nice Hetzer come to mind. BRONCO also went for the "Link-and-length" Tracks with their M22 "Locust" kits, and since the Tracks on 1/35 M22s are so tiny, I think that BRONCO carried their "Link-and-length" Tracks for these kits off quite well. IMO, I think that DRAGON SHOULD have done the same with their Japanese "HA-GO"-series and their "KA-MI"-series kits, which "feature" those stupid "DS" Tracks, rather than have us go out and buy, then fiddle-dee-f**k around with those recalcitrant and hideously expensive FRIULS!!! Buuuut, they didn't... Before any of you guys read me the "Riot Act" for "dissing" DRAGON yet AGAIN, I want to point out that I'm talking about their "DS" Tracks, and not their kits, themselves. PLENTY of you have moaned and groaned about "DS" Tracks... The FRIULS are more-or-less OK for bigger Tanks, such as 1/35 Tigers I & II, but when you're trying to assemble a 1/35 Tank that's not much bigger than a pack of "cancer-sticks", with nearly-microscopic Tracks, then it can be a painful ordeal for your fingers, and pretty frustrating for your good mental well-being... Give me "Link-and-length" Tracks, anytime- Once you cake the Tracks up with all manners of glop that's supposed to represent mud, all that beautiful detail that you supposedly get with "Indy-links" is obscured, anyway... Bill Cross says that he liked the Tracks in his Pz.III kit- I believe him, and I'm more than willing to give the MINIART "Workable" Pz.III/IV 38cm Tracks the benefit of the doubt- The only thing that I'm a bit apprehensive over, is that their design looks remarkably similar to the MODELKASTEN variety, and they may possibly "include" the inherent frustration and "fiddle-iness" that comes with Tracks of that particular type of design...
OCT 13, 2016 - 11:21 AM
THIS STORY HAS BEEN READ 8,457 TIMES.
ADVERTISEMENT

Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
MiniArt ReviewsMORE
Car Maintenance 1930s - 40s In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
Musical Instruments In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
German Tank Men Painting Camo In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
Egyptian T-34/85 with Interior In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
T-34/85 with D-5T In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
Repairing on the Road In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
German Tractor D8500 In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
T-34/85 Composite Turret In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
B-Type London Omnibus 1919 In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
T-34/85 with Interior In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
German Railroad Staff In-Box Review
by Darren Baker | of 1 ratings, 100% found this helpful
German Road Signs Ardennes In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
RPzB 54 and RPzB 43 In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
Tiran 4 Sharir with Dozer In-Box Review
by Darren Baker
French Civilians 1930’s and 40 In-Box Review
by Darren Baker | of 1 ratings, 100% found this helpful

ADVERTISEMENT