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Armor/AFV: Allied - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Allied forces during World War II.
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Tamiya M3 halftrack update kits
PanzerEd
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Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Joined: January 14, 2006
KitMaker: 432 posts
Armorama: 402 posts
Posted: Monday, March 31, 2008 - 08:09 AM UTC
Does anyone know of good update kits for the Tamiya M3 halftrack? I know of the Verlinden set/s and Ive seen another for the Dragon suspension update but Im sure somewhere Ive also seen a resin set for the whole road wheel, sprocket, idler and track unit for the Tamiya kit.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Des
Plasticbattle
#003
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Donegal, Ireland
Joined: May 14, 2002
KitMaker: 9,763 posts
Armorama: 7,444 posts
Posted: Monday, March 31, 2008 - 08:28 AM UTC
Hi Desmond.
Tank worshop do the drive, running gear, tracks and replacement front wheel set (TWS0066). Depending on price and availability, you could always but the M2 and use those parts, for detail that are as good, but a lot easier to work with(?). The tracks are resin and youŽll need the hair dryer/hot water to shape them. Lots of flash to clean out on the idler and drive wheels as well. But with a little work, theyŽll look great. K59 also make a simlar set.
Blast make some lovely stowage sets and tarp sets thatŽll realy lift the kit. Plus models make an engine and resicast make a steering conversion for the front wheels. Eduard do etch. Of course ... the sides are wrong as well ... so youŽll have to clean off the frames (ladders) on the sides or replace with the sides of the M21 kit.
Have all these myself to do ...but break out in a sweat when I think about it.
PanzerEd
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Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Joined: January 14, 2006
KitMaker: 432 posts
Armorama: 402 posts
Posted: Monday, March 31, 2008 - 08:46 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Desmond.
Tank worshop do the drive, running gear, tracks and replacement front wheel set (TWS0066). Depending on price and availability, you could always but the M2 and use those parts, for detail that are as good, but a lot easier to work with(?). The tracks are resin and youŽll need the hair dryer/hot water to shape them. Lots of flash to clean out on the idler and drive wheels as well. But with a little work, theyŽll look great. K59 also make a simlar set.
Blast make some lovely stowage sets and tarp sets thatŽll realy lift the kit. Plus models make an engine and resicast make a steering conversion for the front wheels. Eduard do etch. Of course ... the sides are wrong as well ... so youŽll have to clean off the frames (ladders) on the sides or replace with the sides of the M21 kit.
Have all these myself to do ...but break out in a sweat when I think about it.


Thanks Frank,

Just broke out into a sweat myself reading your reply,

From a money only point of view I might just be better off waiting for the Dragon M3 to be released.

I do like the look of the Blast model tarps and stowage sets though. they really do look great.

Des
Plasticbattle
#003
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Donegal, Ireland
Joined: May 14, 2002
KitMaker: 9,763 posts
Armorama: 7,444 posts
Posted: Monday, March 31, 2008 - 10:46 AM UTC
Hi Desmond. If you already have the Tamiya set, go ahead and build it anyway.... OOB. OK ... it has its faults ... but it does look the part. Adding some simple details and a decent paint & weathering can dress it up nicely. If I were to spring for only one aftermarket set ... Id go with the Blast Tarp/stowage set. If youŽre only considering buying it .... get he Dragon M2 instead.
All the best.
PanzerEd
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Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Joined: January 14, 2006
KitMaker: 432 posts
Armorama: 402 posts
Posted: Monday, March 31, 2008 - 10:51 AM UTC
Thanks Frank,

Ive already got the kit mate. Had it sometime now. Ive been looking at the Blast tarps and stowage and I think they would add alot to the finished kit.

Thanks mate

Des
ALBOWIE
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New South Wales, Australia
Joined: February 28, 2006
KitMaker: 1,605 posts
Armorama: 1,565 posts
Posted: Monday, March 31, 2008 - 02:44 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Does anyone know of good update kits for the Tamiya M3 halftrack? I know of the Verlinden set/s and Ive seen another for the Dragon suspension update but Im sure somewhere Ive also seen a resin set for the whole road wheel, sprocket, idler and track unit for the Tamiya kit.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Des


I personally believe the cheapest upgrade for these is to buy a DML M2 and use the bits htat come with this but use the Tamiya hull as it has the correct screw heads even after all these years. The DML suspension and track is superb and would go a long way to making the old Tamiya one a work of art
Would have to be cheaper than buying all the upgrade sets for wheels, tracks, running gear etc
Al
PanzerEd
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Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Joined: January 14, 2006
KitMaker: 432 posts
Armorama: 402 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 09:21 AM UTC
Al,

Thanks mate. Ive ordered the Blast tarps and Legends stowage kits so once they are added they should A) add a hell of a lot to the kit, and B) hide a lot of the faults

The only other thing I may try to get hold of are some front wheels with snow chains.

Ive spent enough already on other kits

Des
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