Improved tank tracks

[rockpaperscissor]

I've built quite a few 1/50 scale tank models, and have always thought that the tracks on 1/50 and smaller tanks are a weak point. There are two main problems: 1. stiffness. 2. No track guides.

I've successfully addressed problem #1, and have a plan to resolve problem #2 with my next tank build.

On most parts pages of this scale, the upper and lower track strips are a unified piece which is simply scored down the middle, and folded over to form a long track of double thickness paper. Some modelers (including me) score and bend each link to add a bit more realism. Others just wrap the strip around the suspension parts and glue in place. Either way, the effect is just not convincing.

This time, I glued the unified upper/lower track strip to a scrap piece of card stock, and then cut the strip in half at the usual score line. I colored the long edges of the strips, and then cut the strips into individual links, and colored the exposed edges. I separated the links into two piles (uppers/lowers, inners/outers, bottoms/tops), whatever you want to call them.

Then I made a simple jig from a piece of clear pine, and glued a wooden paint stirring stick along one side as a guide. The second guide is a piece of mat board push pinned into place with a gap the width of the track. I carefully laid down the bottom links one by one, and then overlaid 2 taut lines of black thread, held tight with push pins at either end. Then, one by one, I glued the top links in place, trapping the thread in between, creating a long track of 4 paper thicknesses.

I freed the track, and "cracked" each link to break up any that might have been tacked together slightly during the gluing process. The resulting track was wonderfully flexible and snaky. Simply from it's own weight, it created realistic sags between the upper rollers. I couldn't be happier. It was well worth the extra time and effort. The jig is easily adjustable to accommodate any width track.

[Texman]

Nice! Guess who's gonna nick that idea from ya?

[Zakopious]

Wonderful.
This might also work for the old plastic tank whose tracks have dried out and broken.

[Zakopious]

Several years ago, I attempted to convert the Fiddlers Green Opel Blitz to an Opel Maltier.
As you can see, the tracks were a problem.
I might be able to get a better fit using your method.

[CharlieC]

A similar method - Panzer 1F tracks (resurrected) - also works pretty well

Charlie

[Gibbo]

Great idea, another one to go into my little black book of tricks.
very effective result, well done
Rob

[Neilio]

That's awesome.

[rockpaperscissor]

Thanks for your kind comments, fellas. I'm glad my thread was well received. With this method, the track is so floppy that it sags and bags all by itself. In the last picture, the track isn't even glued to the upper rollers yet. So yes, it would definitely look more convincing on that excellent Maultier conversion. I brought a length of track to my local AMPS (Armor Model Preservation Society) meeting the other night, and it fooled everyone (that's paper?)

[busoramas]

very clever!

good work

[Amazyah]

Well done my friend!

Insert image of applause here...