In the past I have used the ARMO track links for my Tamiya T-62, and the Model-Kasten for the Tamiya T-55.
Both are just fine, giving the correct sag, but are very fragile when handling. The installation pins come off frequently, and the links get broken very easily.
Now, that I am building the Trumpeter T-62, I am planning to try these new (for me) clickable track links from MINIARM or MASTERCLUB.
Are they any good and resistant, or should I use the Friul metal tracks?

Your opinion is welcome.

Regards,
Flores

Friuls would be the way to go for strength, the clickable links would be fine I suspect if a small amount of glue is used when placed on the model. I say that as I do not know how easily they come apart.

Darren,

Thanks.

I have used Friul once. They are tough, realistic and don't break apart easily, but weigh a lot, and are pricey, these being the only cons.

Regards,
Flores

Hi Flores,

I note the comments about FRIULS but I love them and use them for virtually all my builds except M4's with tight 'live' tracks. The set for the proposed T-62 would be the same as I used on my 1/35 Afghan Northern Alliance T-55 (Tamiya) and they were excellent to use with hardly any clean-up at all - and perfect fit around the sprockets.

They are also almost indestructable over the years as you move the models about for cleaning / moving house / taking them to club meets etc. I don't think many of the plastic or resin track sets would hold-up so well?

Personally, I also find the weight of the metal tracks gives a satisfying 'feel' to the model so I don't see it as a 'con'.

I know a lot of modellers swear by "Modelkasten" but I find them too fidly to assemble and they are not very robust when the model is handled over time. I cannot comment on the "Miniarm" etc. resin sets as I have never used them however I do have a set of their T-64 & T-90 track links in the stash for some future builds and the quality looks to be excellent.

Hope you find a suitable set for your project though I understand that the kit's indy links in the Trumpeter T-62 aren't too bad anyway?

Best of luck!
Gary

Hi Flores,

I've used Modelkasten in the past for my T-55 also, as well as Miniarm (T-90) and Masterclub (BMP-2,T-80).

I have never used Fruil though, mostly as they don't do that many modern russian sets.

As far as the Resin click links go I found them easier to assemble than the Modelkasten. They are a little delicate though, and if you're not careful they can break a few times while trying to "bend" into place. However any breaks are quickly fixed with superglue and loose links can also be glued.

I'd say that Miniarm and Masterclub are on level playing in terms of detail and quality, and both have the same issues of delicacy.

For me though the main advantage over platic or metal is the amazing level of detail you can get in resin tracks. Serial numbers on the idndividual links, and lots of surface detail.

Hello Gary and Jon,

I think you guys gave me the whole picture of the available workable tracks in the market, including those that came with my Trumpy T-62.

Why not give them a try?

Thanks for the help.

Cheers,
Flores

There is just one thing you need to watch out for on the Trumpeter T-62 and that's the drive sprocket. There has been reports it won't fit the metal tracks from fruilmodel. I haven't been able to confirm this as I replaced mine with T-72 tracks which comes with a new sprocket. The kit tracks on the other hand do fit the supplied sprocket in the kit. I figure I figure I would give you heads up before before you buy anything. There is a forum on this website that talks about the metal tracks.
Chris

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the alert. I tought the Friul set came with their metal drive sprockets.

Regards,
Flores

Hey flores, no the metal tracks from fruilmodel do not come with a new drive sprocket, it was I beleive design mostly to go with tamiya's T-55 kit. I could be wrong about that, but the teeth placement on trumpeter's T-62 drive sprocket don't line up with the notches in the tracks. I just checked with one of the hobby shops I used alot and there's no mentioning about a new sprocket in the set.

Also there's is another modeller Sean Hopkins who has run into an issue with trying to use masterclub's tracks on trumpeter's kit, I was just reading his blog about it. Either your best bet will to use the T-72 track set like I'm using on mine which comes with a new sprocket or try to salvage on from tamiya's T-55. Either way the tracks in trumpeter's kit is still pretty go and so far the only set that will fit their kit.
Chris

Hello Chris,

Forgot to ask: Which Trumpeter T-62 is yours? The 1962 model, or the new 1972?

Regards,
Flores

Hey Flores, I actually have the Mod. 62, I still have to get the 72 mod. I have a blog I doing showing my build progress on the T-62 on this site.......Russian T-62 in Georgia. Feel free to check it out. I did some more research into the fruilmodel T-62 tracks and with a little work they can be made to fit onto trumpeter's supplied drive sprocket. But frankly it's all up to you which route you would like to take.
Chris

Hello Chris,

Gary Owsley wrote to me (at Missing Links) about this subject:

"Depends on which T62 you have.
If you have the T62 Model 72, no they (Friul ATL-01 tracks)are not going to fit the sprocket. It's set up for Rmhs tracks, so-called T72 tracks. If you have the Model 62, then they should fit, it's set up for Omsh tracks, which the Friul ATL-01 tracks are."

HTH

Excellent work your detailing of the T62. I've checked the photos.

Regards,
Flores

Juankar,

Yes, and with the saved money you may buy some aftermarket items to improve your T62.

Regards,
Flores

Thanks Flores, I wasn't too sure about the tracks as I was reading defferent blogs about the fit of the metal tracks on the trumpeter sprocket. I still think the tracks in the kit are just fine, they just didn't fit what I was trying to build as the newer updated 62's have the new set of tracks.
Chris

Chris, I think I'll give a try with the tracks that came with the kit. They look fine to me, as I'm not that meticulous with fidelity to reality.

Cheers,
Flores