I just got this trio of kits, Tamiya’s old T34-76 1942, SU-85 and SU-122.
I know they aren’t up to today’s standards but I though they would be a nice, quick build and I could try out some different finishing/weathering techniques.
The only real problem that I can see is that the tracks are terrible.
I am considering replacing them but don’t want to spend too much money on these old kits. All three kits have the same “rubber band” tracks in the box, is it correct that all three tanks used the same tracks, late waffle pattern?

I see there are tracks from
Friulmodel ATL-09 – nice but expensive (as compared to what these kits costs me)
Modelkasten SK-34 or SK-35
WWII Productions 35002 waffle pattern or 35032 and 35033 split track Type 1 and 2
Accurate Amour T41 – Late waffle track
MasterClub MC135022W – T-34 M1942

Are there any others that I should look for (that might be less expensive than any of the above) and which ones would be best for these kits? Maybe I should get a couple of different ones and see how each works out?

Any help or incite would be appreciated.

Thanks

Just got the SU-85 myself. Built one years ago when it first came out ,late 70s ? Got half dozen other Tamiya 34s , reliving a simpler time I guess. I ordered Tank WorkShop tracks for my SU. The cost me $23. + shipping . Got some other parts from them that were very nice and reasonably priced. Next to pick up SU-122 Jim

Cheapest aftermarket T-34 tracks were those by Maquette (they offered early and late patterns). Non-workable styrene link to link tracks. Maquette is defunct, but you may be able to locate a set from old dealers' stocks or on E-bay. They ran around $6 USD originally. I got some from Alanger USA a while back. They're nice of you want to dress up one of the older Zvezda/Revell/Italeri kits or one of Tamiya's.

Maybe ask on the buy/sell forum if anybody has upgraded to friuls/MK/etc and are willing to sell their Dragon indy tracks. You could be lucky and get them for the price of postage. They´re nice tracks, a step up from the tamiya .. and don´t cost as much as aftermarket. No point splashing out when you got these three cheap!!

I completely agree with Frank, your best bet is to get someone else's DML tracks. Especially the majic tracks, they are much less work cleaning up...

I wouldn't throw a lot of money at these. The tracks are the most obvious shortcoming, but these kits are not at all accurate dimensionally, and have been superceded by much better models fom DML.

Sorta. We still need a SU-85 and SU-122. The parts from the Tamiya kits can be used to build accurate models on a DML hull. We still need new kits of both (faint hope).

Tracks.

The MasterClub tracks are for early 1942 production T-34s from Krasnoe Sormovo, primarily. They can be used for the Tamiya "1942" T-34, which is mostly a Sormovo T-34. Waffle tracks can also be used, as can 550mm waffle tracks from a DML STZ kit, or even the earlier plate tracks, included on the sprues in early DML T-34s.

For the assault guns, you need either split link tracks (WW2 Prod) or later 500mm waffle tracks, per Kasten or Fruil. I doubt you will find Maquette tracks without effort.

Frankly, I would not spend $30 + P&P on tracks for a $5 model (which is what the Tamiya kits are worth). A much better option is to haunt fleaBay and snipe a cheap DML T-34-85.

Cheers
Scott Fraser