Any reason why the Upper Return roller Number A12 is bigger then A13 like sticks out so much.

This is on The Tamiya M1A1 OIF one thanks

Is this correct to glue or a mistake on there Part.

Can't be seen anyway.

Thanks

Each return roller only supports one side of the track. The "short" one inboard of the guide horn and the "long" one outboard.

I think it sticks out like that because one return roller goes under the inner track pads and the other goes under the outer track pads to keep the track level.

Thanks guys was looking weird and not to many pics of it without side armor.

Strange indeed.

Would never be seen anyway

I wondered the same thing when I started my first tank, it makes more sense when you finish and actually see it.

Actually I think this is a mistake in the Tamiya kit and the older Dragon kits. Both return rollers (IIRC) should be on the inboard side of the guide teeth. The new Dragon AIM kit has it right, unfortunately I can't check the instructions because my kits are boxed away somewhere!

Cheers,
Jim

Hmm...

You may have something there Jim. A quick search of reference pics reveals the following pics,

http://svsm.org/gallery/m1a1abramsjh3/DSC07272
http://svsm.org/gallery/m1a1abramsjh3/DSC07270

which clearly show the forward return roller (depicted in the kits as having a "long" axle shaft) to be inboard of the guide horns.

The AIM kit does indeed have equal length axle shafts on both return rollers. (I just looked)

Remember, Tamiya's current Abrams kit uses the same suspension and lower hull as the original M1 kit. That kit was issued motorized. The different lengths could be attributed to motorization issues much like the extra drive sprockets that had ridges instead of procket teeth.

Jim is 100% correct. On the real tank both support rollers are supporting the inside of the track. I noticed this with almost every model of the M1 series except the latest Dragon M1A1 AIM kit..

Ric