For my sins I have Heller's AMX-30 and AMX GCT in the stash. The tank will be an early model while the SPG will be in later colours. The tracks on both are dire so I've been looking at replacements. We seem to have Friul, Phebus and Heller to choose from, although I've yet to see more of the Heller ones than a picture of the box.

Poking around the Phebus website I find that there are old and new styles of track. So I assume I need one of each for my plan. But Phebus actually has only new-style available, so I know I need to look elsewhere if I want old ones. So, Friul or Heller, I assume. But Phebus gives no illustrations, and neither Friul's nor Heller's identifies which they are. I've assumed Heller's were original, and Friul's look similar; but on searching the interweb I've not been able to spot any differences from one picture to the next, and I've found no text to make matters clearer.

So - what are the differences between old and new AMX-30 tracks, and which aftermarket version is which? Does anyone know? And does it matter?

Here are some pics that may help :

Late model track :
http://olivier.carneau.free.fr/photoengins/france/famille_amx30/amx30brennus/amx30brennus_001.htm

also fitted to the AuF1 GCT self-propelled gun :
http://olivier.carneau.free.fr/photoengins/france/famille_amx30/auf1_dl/DSC03701.htm

Early model track :
http://data4.primeportal.net/tanks/david_lueck/amx-30b2/images/amx-30b2_19_of_74.jpg

HTH

Frenchy

To add my 2 cents to Frenchy's post, I'd say that Friul and Heller tracks are old style tracks and individual link type. The Heller set is not available yet.

Phebus old track set is no longer in production. Their new track set comes as a individual links and lengths set.

Concerning tanks, the new type of tracks can be seen on AMX30 Brennus only. But all the variants still in service with the French army are fitted with them (ARV, SPG, CEV).

As a sidenote, Heller AUF1 needs a lot of modifications as it is oversimplified in many areas and wrong concerning the chassis.
You may have a look at Richard's brilliant job here at Armorama (if you scroll down you'll find a link to a Blog he did in a French forum that could help too)

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/138147#1152520

Olivier

Never seen reactive armor on one before. Where did it serve with?


- Jeff

Hi Jeff,
the Brennus MBT was a transitional upgrade solution pending the arrival of the last batch of Leclerc in the last regiment to be equipped with.
So you can only see it with the markings of the 1/2 regiment de chasseurs.
It was never deployed unlike the AMX30B2 and the Leclerc.

Olivier

Sean you could if ya wanted use the early tracks as these are still being used by many countries ,,these pics were taken in Iraq not long ago i believe and they still using the old style tracks





and seeing those GCT 155's all stuffed is a good way to use that Heller kit,,i've got 2 of those SPG's and one turret is on top of a M60 hull ,the AMX hull ,well lets say knackered

Phill

Anyone interested in Iraqi GCT/AuF1s might find the article in my blog of interest:
http://esotericarmour.blogspot.com

Thanks for posting the link to your article Mandrake.
I have some points though.
Concerning the roof MG, looking at the cradle, I doubt it is a AANF1 (7.62mm) or AA52 (7.5mm). The AA MG family cradle is shorter and thinner. My guess is the Iraqis mounted a M2HB or why not a Russian DSHk.
If you look at the parade picture, you may notice that the MG is not present, not evne the mount. Its addition is probably a Iraqi field modification.
Here is a picture of the French M2 cradle

It is slightly different from the one in your picture.

You mentioned the AUF2 at the end of your article. It was only a project which was abandoned to the benefit of the CAESAR. In fact, the AUF2 main change was a longer barrel.
What is wrong in the Heller kit is the use of the AMX30 MBT hull whereas the SPG is different in many respects even for a French one not to speak about an Iraqi one.

HTH
Olivier

Thank you all, it's much clearer now. I'm still dithering over whether to go mad and correct the GCT, but better tracks are an absolute must and this helps hugely.