The Hummel in question when I started this thread is my first full blown aftermarket adventure. I bought the model, waited, bought the Eduard PE set and now I am going to go the AM track route, too. I figured there was no sense in fighting the indy plastic DML tracks when I could get the Fruil tracks. It will be the most expensive model in terms of materials that I have done so far but I am learning a lot (thanks to you guys!!) and I don't do it that often. I guess if it comes down to buying another kit for the closet full o' models or buying another set of Fruil tracks for a model I already have I think I will go with the tracks.

Shaun

Keenan,
yup- the AMS (Advanced Modeler Syndrome) bug is a nasty one . When I returned to modeling, I just built a few pieces of armor OOTB. Slowly, the AMS bug got me. I have a Panther G that has almost every piece of AM that you can buy- I'm still waiting on an Elefant cleaning tool tube at my local shop .
For kicks, I bought the same Panther G model and plan to build it OOTB- one model with all aftermarket parts- the other right out of the box- I'm curious how they will look side by side.

Peter

Keenan-

Yea - I have the "closet full of kits" too. I pretty much have the models I want to build now (of course I still pick up a few now and again).... and I spend my money on the aftermarket goodies for the kits I do have already. I'm finding that I'm actually spending less money on my hobby now than I did before i started using aftermarket stuff. It takes me WAAAAYY more time to finish a single kit - (and I'm MUCH happier with the result) - than it used to. I could crank out an OOTB model in a weekend, then have to buy another.....then another...... you get the picture. My shelves are filled with models I've done - but I'm only truly happy with the last few.... Now I try to make sure that I'm doing the kit justice - and that I'll be satisfied with the result a year from now, and so on....

Later-
Jeff

................Jeff hit the nail on the head.

I used the fruil track on a t-62 and it was great. The weight of the metal caused a natural sag of the tracks between the roadwheels

Hi Treadhead,

Sorry for the VERY late reply. I know what you mean about the expense sometimes not being worth it. I thought the Dragonfly was worth it, and it was the first armour kit I'd ever done with PE and a turned barrel and aftermarket tracks and I was rather pleased with the result, but then again, I'm rather pleased with my cheapo Panzer IV, it kept me occupied for a week or two and I really enjoyed building it. It's actually sitting on top of my monitor as I type this

For those of you following the "Thread That Would not Die!!" I received the fruils from Great Models about 8 days after I ordered them. (Great service). I have almost one whole side put together, probably in less time than it would have taken to glue the Dragon indy track together. And, man, probably the best 30 bucks I have spent on modeling in a long time.
Question: Is there an alternative to Blacken It or another way to finish the tracks. I would have to order the Blacken It or drive 2 hours to get some. Any other finishing suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Shaun

Shaun,
I'd suggest finishing them the same way you would vinyl or indy tracks.
For vinyl tracks I give mine a basecoat of blue/black, wash with a brownish/black mix, and finish with drybrushing silver.
The cool thing about Friul is that after the wash, you just use a fine grit sandpaper on the treads to wear away the paint and expose the metal underneath.

Peter

....... and is something similar avialable on the european market???????????

Shaun,
As sphyma said they can be painted also, I did this with my last set and was very pleased with the results. Make sure you clean them well before you paint or the paint will chip off. If you have either a Michael's or Radio Shack near-by you might have an alternative to Blacken-it. I have read on another site that Michael's sells a solution called "Patina", that is used when making stained glass, that will work like Blacken-it, ditto for "PCB Etchant" (spelling??) available at Radio Shack. I have not used either of these but I plan on giving one a try on a set for a Cromwell IV I have ready to go since I also have to order the blacken-it, or drive a while to get some.

Mike

I will check my local Hobby Lobby for the Patina stuff and Radio Shack for the etchant. I will probably do a test section of spare track, just in case. Either way thanks for the input. I will try and remember to let this thread know how it works out.

Thanks again, everyone.

Shaun :-)