The tracks for DML's M1A1-HA (3517) look like the same ones used by the M60 tank. Are these the correct tracks or should it have the normal M1A1 tracks?

In any case, quite a good buy for a kit with 4 figures and interior for only 18 bucks

I'm not sure what you mean. Dragon M1A1 (HA) model comes with correct T158 tracks. M1s and early M1A1s were using T156 tracks, while M60s used T97 (earliest M60 variant, same track as used by M48 and M88) or T142 (M60A1 and all later variants). These are all different kinds of tracks.

Here is a drawing of all these track types (I made it a moment ago, so it is just a rough approximation of the real thing):



Rgds,
Pawel

Thanks for the reply. After posting the question I did some searching and found a pic of an Abrams with the type of track on the DML kit.



All other Abrams that I've seen (not that I've paid that much attention to the tracks) have had angled pads. Are these the T156 tracks?



As always, thanks for helping out a newbie...

LOL! I guess I was a little slow. Thanks for the illustration

HEY.... I needed that pic! Thanks for posting this question!
Do you have a picture of the "old" track in close up??(or maybe someone else?) I can only find the new tracks on the net, but my (cheap) old Academy set of the M1A1 carries the old set...
Jurgen

More at TanxHeaven

Rob

Thanks Rob, but I meant the other type... #:-) Sorry I wasn't more clear in asking...
Jurgen

A little closer. I can take a close up on Monday if this isn't good enough.

The track on the nato camo tank is the first style used on the m1/m1a1. as this type of track wore out, we replaced it with the track that you could replace the track pads rather than the track block. The newer type of track is alot quieter because the centerguides are solid rather than open like the old ones. The old ones acted like a tuning fork. PLus the new ones are secured by 2 bolts on each end rather than one in the center of the track pins. A much better track.

Great info guys, thanks!
I don't wanna be impolite but if you can find the time, maybe you can shoot a pic for me of the inside of the track... But this gives me enough info for now, two M1's with both these tracks to paint will keep me busy quite a while...
Thanks again,
, Jurgen

Yes, plus the center guide teeth could get bent inwards and you couldn't get the socket wrench onto the center guide nut. Major PITA.

Jurgen, I'll take a couple of shots for you tomorrow unless someone posts some in the meantime. The Academy tracks are copies of the Tamiya tracks. Their problem is that the center guides are in the middle of the track block and not straddling two adjacent blocks. Prior to the Armour Tracks M1/K1A1 T-156 track set, there was no real solution to fixing the early style vinyl tracks. These tracks run $25-30 a set, fairly pricey fix. Most people just live with the inaccuracy or upgrade the tracks to the AFV Club T-158 tracks.

Our M1A1 Heavies came with T-158 tracks. We got those tanks in early 1990. The M1A1s we got in mid 1989 had the earlier T-156 tracks. Back in the horrors that were my BMO days (1992-94), if we ordered track, they sent either type (based on the mechanic writing down the stock number from the TM). Quite a pain to have to deal with two different types. Eventually the older type got used up and I hadn't seen any on a tank until I got here and had a couple of old M1IPs sitting in the motor pool rusting away.