I'm very new to modelling..

So new, that only today did I realize that it's common practice to paint the model as you build it instead of gluing it all together and THEN painting it.. (Don't laugh!)

Well, I started an Academy M551 Sheridan model today, and when the time came to put the tracks on the lower portion of the hull, the track seemed to be too small, and what ended up happening was that the idler wheels started bending (because of the tightness of the tracks). I thought a good idea might be to heat up the tracks with a hair dryer to make them stretch a bit, but the tracks ended up coming apart.

My first question is, is this common? Do tracks sometimes not fit properly and cause bending/breaking of the wheels? My second question is Does anyone know where I can get replacement tracks for my kit, since one of the original kit track sections is now mangled?

Thanks for any help or input.

This is only my third ever model.. My first was a 50's era ford pickup (which is long gone) my second was a Tamiya radio controlled Tiger 1, and this is my third.

some pictures:

http://img221.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tank1ss1.jpg
http://img215.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tank2uf9.jpg

If my memory has not completely failed me I believe there are issues with the tracks supplied with this kit, and you pretty much have to purchase AM tracks for it. I also believe there are some accuracy problems with this model but it’s the only one available in injected plastic.

Here is a link you may find helpful

https://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/review/875

Here is a Run down on the Kit.

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/academy/acd13011.htm

I hope you get it figured out Tom.

Stay with it looks like you got most done already.

No hints on the Track I am afraid.

Is the front idler a swing Fit?

I have the kit around here some where.

Well hope somebody else can help.

Welcome aboard BTW.

Tom-- looks at the PMMS site in the last response. Good rundown on how bets to assemble the kit. Try the Tamiya JS II for your fourth project. Preety basic kit to assemble and she looks great when finished.
Best of luck
DJ

Friulmodel does make white metal tracks for the Sheridan.....Are they work the expense for the inaccurate Academy kit?....that is a personal decision.

You should try putting up a post in case someone does have a spare set of kit tracks that you can get a hold of.

Don't use a hair dryer on vinyl tracks.....try putting the tracks on partially on the mounted idler and then fit them to the drive sprocket and then slowly push the drive sprocket on to the suspension mounting arm.....it will allow you to control the pressure and the stretching of the tracks.

Whenever I get that problem when the idler wheels start to bend usually reinforcing the idlers and drive sprockets should make them strong enough to hold the track. Just take a metal rod that fits into both wheels, drill a hole parallel across the model and then connect them, kind of like the design on the Tamiya's AAVP. you will probably lose some of the detail in the suspension or whatnot but it works for me. I had the same problem with the Academy Warrior and it fixed it just fine.

Like the M113 APC, the Sheridan has no return rollers, and the upper run of the track must have a distinctive sag to it that most vinyl one-piece tracks just can't duplicate. Although there are some design issues with the Academy kit, once a replacement set of tracks are in place, some of the smaller faults seem to fade out of the spotlight. I highly recommend the Fruil tracks as a replacement. They include replacement sprockets as well. The sag in the all-metal tracks captures the look of the real thing quite well.