Hi all,
I finally assembled one track from the workable set just to note that it is way too short !!

They are shorter than the kit vinyl ones by 12 links and cannot link up around the running gear.



Trumpeter give you 84 links per track (as stated on the box) plus some spare. In no case this is enough to get two complete runs.
Considering the amount of time I spoilt cleaning the links and gluing the individuals guide horns, I'm really upset.

Damn... Olivier that's really
I'm using the vinyl that come with the kit on mine.

I would politely inform Trumpeter about the issue, specifically on FB if you can. Were you short a sprue?

I had the same set, it was short as well. I emailed them and never heard back. Didn't try FB yet...

Hello,
First of all it's sad to see this. I was thinking about buying these tracks, but it seems I need an other solution.
I tried to contact Trumpy via e-mail when I had problem with their product, they never answered. I also tried facebook (pm and comment too), but they banned me, so I cannot write comments on their FB page anymore. They need only positive comments.

This is a pity as the plastic tracks are better detailed especially the guide horns which have the right shape.
Mokush, I suggest you try the Friul offering which gives 200 links plus 2 sprockets.

Concerning mine, I'll to do some surgery by using vinyl bits around the sprockets where the guide horns are invisible. As this will be not long enough, I intend to insert a length of vinyl tracks on which I cut the outer horns and replace them by plastic ones from the spare and if this is not enough from the inner ones. Still need to think about it and check if both materials can glue together.

May be try masterclub resin track?

Thanks for the hint Guennadiy. This will be useful for the PT-76 in the stash.

I recommend MC135047W (resin) or MTL-35047 (metal - http://masterclub.ru/models/index.php?SECTION_ID=106&ELEMENT_ID=905 )

Not recommend MC135047CL (resin, on-click)

Thanks for the information !
This means I need to buy an extra set or two and split among my BTR & PT-76 kits ...
/ Robin

Thats not good at all- must be very frustrating Olivier. I took one look at the vinyl ones in the kit and bought some Fruils. You should definitely inform Trumpeter of the issue though, they shouldn't be selling them if they are coming up short like that.

That is incredibly stupid of Trumpeter! Sometimes one wonders how things like this is even possible. Did nbody test build the tracks beforehand and put them on?

I feel your frustration, Olivier!

Good question indeed.
Well I can live with that but the next time I'll give my money to Friul. I never had such a bad surprise with their sets.

Yesterday I tried to fix this by cutting a length of 9 links from the vinyl track and gluiing it around the sprocket. I should have cut only 8 in fact but this is not a huge problem. Then I glued at both ends one workable link. I'll take some pictures later on and post them today.

Even if the carving of the vinyl track is not perfect, the trick works pretty well.

Olivier

Just a note - The set of metal Masterclub BTR-50 tracks I received had many damaged or deformed links. I eventually got them replaced but it did take a while.

Thank you for the warning Ian.

Here is a picture of the dry test fit. Not perfect yet but I avoid tensioning the track as it tends to part away.



Not too bad I guess ?
Olivier

I would look for someone with the same problem, willing to buy and divide a set to find the extra links needed.

Is correctly set (default ) , when the two middle wheels get down only .

Massimo,
the box text states you need 84 links per track which is too short. In the box you get 90 links per side, the kit track is 96 links long which proves correct.

So if you intend to get a normal sagging 2x6 links should be OK. If you like a more pronounced sagging a couple more of links are necessary.

Juhasz, I haven't tested the track with all the wheels so far. My guess is that will be OK. As I mentioned, the track is quite fragile so if you pull one end too much, it breaks.

Olivier

I fear that two types of materials for the tracks can give bad adesion of the glue and other problems.
I was suggesting to buy another set of tracks of Trumpeter, use 6x2 links for your model, then try to sell sets of 6x2 spare tracks to other 13 modellers having the same problem. to save money.

As you can see on the picture above, I glued the plastic links to the vinyl ones and it worked pretty fine.
Hopefully you will someone to trade with

You got remarkably good results from cobbling together the vinyl track section and the workable tracks, I think. But thanks for the heads up. I'll probably just get metal tracks for these vehicles.

Hopefully you will someone to trade with
It's not for me, I have only a PT-76 of Eastern Express and I hope that its tracks are long enough.