Do they make moderen tracks other than the rubber one piece? and then again what is so special about linked track anyways? besides taking time and putting them togeather? does it really make a difference ? Even if you can weather the rubber track just like the linked? I have not seen any linked track for Brads and M1's.

SGT.Busche
US.ARMY , INF

The DML M1A1/A2 comes with the single link tracks in the new type pattern. AFV Club also makes the M1A1 single link track which is workable. Academy makes a single link LVTP7/M2/M3 track set too as well as DML's MLRS, which has the same tracks and running gear as an M2/3.

Single link tracks are more detailed and you are able to model the sag into tracks that normally have sag. Other modern US armor kits that have single link track are Italeri's M113 series, AFV Club's M548A1 (and other like vehicles from the series). AFV Club also markets most of their single link sets separately like the US M113 tracks and the NATO M113 tracks and the M48/M60/M88 tracks and the modern M60A3/M48A5 tracks. Esci/Italeri's M60 Blazer also comes with link and length tracks (single links and straight runs of several tracks together).

If you can get single-strip (rubber) tracks that have acceptable molding, they are actually better looking for certain modern vehicles. Tanks like the Leopard, Abrams, M88 and M60-series all have what is know as "live track" which has no perceptable sag over most runs of the tracks. The slightly stretchy or stiff plastic/vinyl tracks don't usually sag, and this give the right look. Of course, glue LTL tracks could do the same thing, but that can be a lot of work just to glue it!

"Live track" has angled cut-outs where the end connectors key into the track pin. The angle of the cut is slightly more shallow than the angle of the wedge block that to keys to the track pins, so the track actually tries to curl up when the wedges are properly installed. (The sheer weight of the track tends to make all but the end two or three blocks lay flat, when it is rolled out on the ground.) This track is installed with quite a bit of tension on it, and will stay on the vehicle through violent high-speed maneuvers, better than the looser "dead track". Many Soviet and Russian vehicles, as well as virtually all WWII German track vehicles, had/have "dead track" with it's characteristic sag.

Dunno if this helps, but there you go...