OK... Back into modeling after several years out and am back in with a vengeance. Anyway, got a few armor projects going and have two kits with the one piece "rubber band" style tracks. These are Academy 1/25 scale Panther G and Academy 1/25 Jagdpanther. My question involves on how to get a realistic look by forming them into the proper shape. i.e. sag across the top of the roadwheels etc. They are very stiff and definitely need some method of bending them around the idler and drive sprocket. Can I heat them with a blowdryer or maybe place them in boiling water to soften them up?? Any advice greatly appreciated.

Randy;
Welcome back. Check out this thread here:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/13266&page=1
read it through and it should help you out tons. You might also want to check out the Finishing and Weathering sequence thread here:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/140764&page=1
if you have any other questions.
This site is a great resource and most of the people here are SUPER helpful. Hope your project goes well and post some pics! Cheers.

Perfect Damon, thanks a bunch.

I've been reading weathering articles until my eyes were bleeding but there's never enough!! Thanks again.

Randy;
happy to be able to help. I was in your shoes a year ago and now am almost done with my first weathering, not as hard as it sounds. Again, if you have questions post them and any pictures. Everyone starts somewhere. Cheers.

Hi Randy,

I've had bad experiences with boiling water on vynil tracks - there's no real control and it's a harsh shock that can deform and ruin the tracks. My preferred method is to bend them around a template (nails in a scrap bit of wood, outlining the shape of the wheels will do) and leave them in a hot car for a week. Of course that assumes it isn't winter in Kentucky! A blowdryer gives gentler heat than boiling water, and is easier to control, so it's worth a go. Of course, don't do it on the model, or the plastic will warp!

If I recall correctly, Panther tracks "touch down" about halfway back along the top run, and lay on the road wheels the rest of the way back to the idler. It can help to add a drop of superglue to hold them down on the wheels, or use some thread to tie them down. A loop of thread wrapped around the axle of a road wheel can be nigh on invisible.

Bear in mind that just putting the tracks on the model and leaving them for a week or two might be enough to give them a "set" around the sprocket and idler...

Hope this helps,

Tom

Randy,

I have built the Academy 1/25 Jagdpanther and my kit came with individual tracks. How long ago did you buy this kit? If you look around on the net you might be able to find a set of indie tracks that would solve your problem.