I am trying to find a way to build tracks for my M60T (Israeli-modernized Turkish M60 with 120mm gun from Merkava 3/4) conversion project. This tank uses the latest M60 tracks by Diehl, and I believe the correct designation is Diehl 570P5.

Diehl 570 series is a very common track architecture used in Leopard 2, Leclerc, Ariete and other tanks. The problem is that Diehl 570P5 used on the M60T is somewhat different in that the sprocket teeth fit in fully enclosed slots at the end of the tracks. Perhaps the photos below will illustrate it better, note the "slots" in the track below:



..and note how the M60T sprocket teeth fit into the slots:



Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on how I can modify a set of Diehl 570P tracks (for example the Leopard 2 set from Bronco) to look like the 570 P5?

Um... For the end connectors you could add strips of Evergreen plastic to enclose the sprocket tooth, and then add end connectors from indy-link Sherman tracks with the guide horns cut off. This would effectively lock the track up, so you'd need to build them on the vehicle. Or, you could beg the AM makers to consider a project?

Good luck,

Tom

Have you thought about reworking the Bronco PzHbz 2000 tracks? Here's a post that shows them.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/47209/message/1269924275/You%27re+kidding%2C+right-

You could shorten the pad on the outside and drill through from the inside to get your hole for the sprocket teeth to fit in. Much better than the Rube Goldberg option suggested.

Hi,

have a look at the new resin tracks for the Marder 1 A5 from Perfect Scale:

Perfect Scale

A review (in german): Panzer-Modell.de

The new track for Marder 1 A5 is wider than the older style Marder tracks. The drive sprocket teeth fit into a slot in the track link, not between the end connectors.

HTH

Cheers
Thomas

Those Perfect Scale Marder tracks are exactly the thing! And they even come with new sprockets to guarantee a good fit. Does the Marder have the same length of track as the Leo, or will he need more than one set to get the required track run?

Far better than my workable Rube Goldberg idea (after all, the new Deihl tracks are essentially the old ones with an outer bar applied under the end connectors...), and even better than carving up and effectively narrowing Bronco's PzH2000 tracks that are already too narrow for a Leo!

Let us know how you get on!

Tom

Maybe yes, maybe no, but since they aren't going on a Leo that doesn't matter. While the Marder tracks sure look the part they may be too narrow. I'll bet the Pzhb2000 tracks are wider and that's what would e needed for a M60T. Not knowing their width, can't say for sure, but compared to the Leo 1 tracks and knowing they are pretty close to normal M60 tracks, they'ed probably work. What I suggested, shortening the track pad not the track shoe, would not change the width of the track.

Tony,

Point well taken! I don't know the relative sprocket widths of the M60 & PzH2000, so it might work as suggested, but moving the sprocket teeth inboard from their normal position to inside those dimples will effectively narrow the sprocket from the PzH2000. so it is only an option if the M60 is already narrower. I know the PzH2000 uses narrower tracks than the Leo, and perhaps rashly thought the M60 & Leo sprockets were very close in width, hence my concern. However, I could easily be wrong...

Anyone know the specs on these tracks?

Either way, the resin set has new sprockets designed to fit, so is better than both of our ideas...

Tom

Thanks, everyone! I knew I could get a good answer here on Armorama, the Marder 1A5 tracks look exactly like the tracks on the M60T. I have some concerns about the width, though: I believe the M60T tracks are significantly wider. I will try to get a measurement from the M60T tracks (I am in communication with folks who have access to the real thing) and then order the Marder 1A5 set if it suits my needs. But the overall shape seems to be spot on.

Plan B is to get the Bronco Leopard II tracks, shorten the track pads from both sides, and file open the track slot from the other side; just like Tony suggested. This will probably require me to reshape the end connectors as well: the end connectors have a slightly curved shape to them on the M60T tracks.

It would be a pity if the Marder 1A5 tracks do not fit, as the shape is exactly what I want.

The M60T does not use the classic M60 sprocket: The Israelis seem to have designed a new 10-teeth sprocket to drive the tracks, complete with characteristic Merkava-style lightening holes. I could not find a similar sprocket, so I will most likely either scratchbuild one or kitbash one by combining the M60 sprocket (the hub seems to be the same) with the 11-teeth sprocket face from a Leopard II and hope nobody notices.

Hi,

the Tankograd Special about the Marder says that the new Marder 1 A5 tracks are 500 mm wide.

Cheers

Thomas

I still don't have exact measurements; but looking at the two photos below; I have reason to believe that the M60T tracks are much narrower than the original M60 tracks. Perhaps the Marder tracks could work after all?

What do you think? The top photo is a standard M60A3, the one below is the Turkish M60T. Look at the gap between the track end connectors and the front corner of the lower hull:

The above M60T photo is from an exhibition, and it may very well be that the demo tank had different tracks than what would be used on an operational tank. I have some operational M60T photos as well, and the tracks still look narrower to me:

Wow! From the front they really do look narrower! I'd still try the Marder tracks myself, if money isn't a problem. Otherwise you're in for a lot of work...

Tom

I took some measurements on the photos, and my preliminary conclusion is that the M60T tracks are between 570-600mm wide. That means the Marder 1A5 tracks will probably be a little too narrow. Oh well...I still have a lot of work to do on the hull before I have to deal with the tracks anyway..