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Armor/AFV: Allied - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Allied forces during World War II.
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UPDATE
Bronco's A13 Cruiser Tracks
jimbrae
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Provincia de Lugo, Spain / Espaņa
Joined: April 23, 2003
KitMaker: 12,927 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 11:06 PM UTC
As promised, I have mailed my contact at Bronco with the following suggestion:


Quoted Text

There's something i've been asked to bring up with you. Regarding the (Vinyl) tracks for the A13, there have been comments that they are too short - particularly bearing in mind that they are 'Dead' tracks and will always have a lot of sag. It first came to light when Steve Zaloga posted this on October 20:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/message/1224538986/Bronco+A13+track-+impossibly+tight

Now, what has happened, is following on Steve's comments, a lot of people are talking about the same thing. So, I am basically asking if there are plans to rework (extend) the tracks supplied in the kit. It may seem like a small issue, but as Bronco has been getting such EXCELLENT press in the last few months, it'd be a pity if this was to damage sales of the A13. When Academy did their Grant and made a SERIES of errors with the suspension, there was a LOT of discussion about it - Academy got some VERY bad press - probably affecting sales.....


So, when I get a response, i'll post it here to keep you 'in the loop'...
jimbrae
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Provincia de Lugo, Spain / Espaņa
Joined: April 23, 2003
KitMaker: 12,927 posts
Armorama: 9,486 posts
Posted: Monday, November 10, 2008 - 01:47 AM UTC
Well, with the staggering response i've got trying to keep you informed, I really don't know why I bothered...

Frustrating? You betcha...
TacFireGuru
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Colorado, United States
Joined: December 25, 2004
KitMaker: 3,770 posts
Armorama: 2,263 posts
Posted: Monday, November 10, 2008 - 02:04 AM UTC
Hey Jim,

There is another thread going about "how you could fix" this issue, but that's moot as this shouldn't have happened.

Personally, I'd like to see Bronco fix their track-length problem with the rubber band tracks and ensure the corrected length tracks are in future shipments. I'd also like to see them include a set of the indy-links in the box.

For those that have already purchased a kit with the short tracks, Bronco should offer at a minimum a set of corrected tracks and maybe offer a set of the indys.

However, I do look forward to see what Bronco's resolution will be. Thanks for making the contact.

Mike
Drader
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Wales, United Kingdom
Joined: July 20, 2004
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
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Posted: Monday, November 10, 2008 - 02:08 AM UTC
The hollow guide teeth may make the indy-link set a better bet in the end, and Crusader tracks don't really look like an option either

http://www.armourinfocus.co.uk/a13/index.htm

Thanks for trying on our behalf though Jim.

P.S. Trackstory 9 is still a no-show

David
RobinNilsson
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KITMAKER NETWORK
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Stockholm, Sweden
Joined: November 29, 2006
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Posted: Monday, November 10, 2008 - 02:46 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The hollow guide teeth may make the indy-link set a better bet in the end, and Crusader tracks don't really look like an option either

http://www.armourinfocus.co.uk/a13/index.htm

Thanks for trying on our behalf though Jim.

P.S. Trackstory 9 is still a no-show

David


The first two pictures at the web-link above show two very different
appearances of track. One hanging down between the road wheels
and the other with the track not even touching the first road wheel ???!!??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:IWM-KID-358-Cruiser-MkIII.jpg


Updated after reading the review by S Zaloga:
The kit tracks are too tight to even allow the tensed (no sag at all) tracks in
the second image at http://www.armourinfocus.co.uk/a13/index.htm

What a bummer ....

Thanks for putting the torch under Broncos sitting area Jim
/ Robin
rfeehan
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Kansas, United States
Joined: July 20, 2003
KitMaker: 727 posts
Armorama: 648 posts
Posted: Monday, November 10, 2008 - 02:58 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Well, with the staggering response i've got trying to keep you informed, I really don't know why I bothered...

Frustrating? You betcha...


Just because we aren't posting doesn't mean we aren't interested. I am interested in the results but I really don't have anything intelligent to add to the thread until we see what Bronco says. Thanks for taking point on this I am glad someone is asking about it.

As far as sales of the kit suffering that is probably true enough I know I won't bother adding one to my collection until I am sure I can fix the track issues (either with improved kit items or aftermarkets). There I said way more than I intended

Rob
AlanL
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: August 12, 2005
KitMaker: 14,499 posts
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Posted: Monday, November 10, 2008 - 03:53 AM UTC
Thanks for the update Jim,

Personally I think they should put a set of indies and vinals in each kit so people can choose what they want to use. The kits aren't cheap and that for me would be much better value for money.

Like others I won't be buying this one until the track issue is resolved.

Al
IdiotStick
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: January 06, 2006
KitMaker: 63 posts
Armorama: 43 posts
Posted: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 12:25 PM UTC
I do believe that their next release of the A13, the later desert version, is to include individual tracks. I will have to follow up on that. Until then, I am going to try something a little tricky. The top portion of the drive sprocket is covered by the fender. I'm goiing to leave a gap of about 4-5 links on the hidden part of the sprocket and this should give enough slack to reproduce the desired sag. I was going to try heating them and stretching them, but I chickened out.

It is still a very welcome subject
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