Since I came back to the hobby at the beginning of the Summer I have completed four tanks, all with rubber band tracks. On the latest project, a CyberHobby Korean War T-34/85 I decided to try to build "working" tracks. I selected ModelKasten SK-34 and had a bash last night.

The ModelKasten kit has some very tiny parts but is well engineered and after some fussing around I was able to develop an method of working that moved the project along. I made some errors, mostly getting too much liquid cement on that wicked into the gap between links and cemented then together. I worked then loose and used less glue on other links.

The tracks look fabulous & it is fun to lay them onto things and see them work. I think they are fragile and need easy handling, one link already pops loose at the slightest provocation.

https://gallery.kitmaker.net/data/29422/thumbs/ModelKasten_01.jpg

https://gallery.kitmaker.net/data/29422/thumbs/ModelKasten_02.jpg

I just built one side due to confusion about a few issues. Here are the instructions:

https://gallery.kitmaker.net/data/29422/thumbs/ModelKasten-Instructions.jpg

Questions:

1. The directions say the tracks are directional. Try as I might, even with my thickest coke bottle glasses I couldn't see ANY differences in the tread to base direction on. What have I missed?

2. The directions say pins 1 & 2 are of different lengths. Darned if I could SEE any difference. I followed the directions and used the seemingly identical pins as directed. Are they really different?

3. I could see no way to determine which way the track links should be oriented. I choose to put the faintly molded on detail outboard where it can be seen when installed:

https://gallery.kitmaker.net/data/29422/thumbs/ModelKasten_Orientation.jpg

Is this correct?

4. There is at least one mystery link, possibly more, I haven't looked through the whole bag yet. The mystery links are not mentioned in the instructions at all as far as I could see. Any idea what the are?

The track links on the left are the oddball ones.

Gee, the photos didn't turn out the way they should, let's try again. Here are the first two showing the assembled track:





Here are the instructions:



Here is the only mark I could find to provide orientation:



Here are the mystery links:



We'll see if this works!

Gee, we're still just getting the thumbnails. Let's try one again.

Another try:

OK, picture mystery solved, here are the rest:

I haven't used ModelKasten, but I have AFV Clubs' T-34 Individual links, so they should be similar. I don't recall any one side being different from the other.

Question 3 might be the answer to question 1. 'Directional' may just mean which side faces out. Looking at my links, I can't tell the difference. Wouldn't hurt to study some period photos/walkarounds.

For the different pins, you probably have some extra links and pins with the kit, so you could always do it backwards and see what happens. But otherwise I have no idea.

Mystery links could just be artifacts from different kits. It's cheaper to make 1 master that doesn't pertain to exactly one kit (and have some extra plastic) then to make a master separately for every kit.

The difference between the track on the right side vs the left side is that the track pins only had a "head" or knob on the inside (toward that tank chassis). The reason is that the pins were loose, as they started to creep out of the joint between two track links there was a "ramp" on the side of the tank that knocked the pins back in again. This simple solution removed the requirement for nuts or locking pins and other complications that could break.
German tank tracks copied the Soviet solution since it was so simple and efficient. No need for the tank crew to check the tracks to make sure that all the pins were still secure and in the proper position every time they stopped.

Check carefully if one of the pins has more of a head than the other ... if you can't spot the difference then nobody else will be able to ...

/ Robin

To elaborate on what Robin wrote, it's not the track blocks that are "handed" but the pins: Pin #1 always goes on the hull side of the track run, pin #2 always goes on the outside.

KL

Thanks guys, I sure can't see any difference in the track links outside of the teeny-tiny molded on detail on the top. That being the case, I'll just build another set just like the first and mount them both so that casting number or whatever it is will be outside on each side. It does bother me that the instructions say the tracks are directional. Ah well, another great mystery of life!

BTW, these tracks are lovely but somewhat fragile. How are the Friulmodel metal tracks? I have a set for a future project and they look to be sturdier but harder to assemble. Is more cleanup time needed than for the plastic tracks? Other thoughts?

Hey Paul
Modelkasten instructions is correct.
1)The actual track pin looks like a blunt nail with capped end towards the hull.
2)These tracks are in fact directional!Let me explain why.
Look here:

Both hollow (non-toothed)link and the one with tooth have ridges on both sides where they join together. These ridges are slightly different in height and length. On toothed link the 'tall' ridge is of uniform height, it goes all along the part and is oriented towards the rear, while the one on the opposite side is almost the same in shape, but its central part is slightly taller than the sides.The same goes to hollow link. It also has 'tall' and 'combined' ridge, but hollow links might be attached in both ways (you can see it in the image).
Now why would they need these ridges to be different? Simple! The tall ridge works as a protection for the following link's hinge slightly covering it , hence is the direction.

HTH and happy modeling, Paul

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the image showing the pins (one of them has started to creep out of the track ..)
Would it be possible for you to make markings on that image to indicate the different ridges ?
I looked and I looked but I could not see the difference.
It is said that the first things one go blind on is the eyes and maybe it is starting to happen to me

/ Robin

Edit: I think I managed to spot the difference, I was looking at the wrong link ... oh well ...

Are the differences like this ?


Same parts marked in the image of the MK track links


Click the thumbnails for larger images
/ Robin

Hey Robin !
You're absolutely right! The full-length ridge that goes all the way through the toothed link is to be directed towards the rear.
About the Friul tracks: not sure if they mimic this particular difference in ridge height/shape/style as I've never used them. My to-go option would be these little beauties from MasterClub:

Reviewed here:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/9820
And here :
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/masterclub/mtl35023.html

Their resin tracks are of the same quality and are joined together by these same pins, but the links themselves require drilling slightly deeper holes.

Both types can be purchased here :
http://models-hobby.com/catalogsearch/advanced/result/?name=t-34&brands=4&scale=7
Or here :
http://www.ebay.com/sch/masterclubmoscow/m.html?item=121427742101&hash=item1c45a84d95&pt=Model_Kit_US&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

HTH, Paul

Thanks guys, I have an idea of what to look for now. I looked the track parts over last night and still could not spot a difference. I'll try tonight with a visor & the coke bottle glasses and see what can be seen. Getting old is strictly for the birds!

Proceeding on the notion that if I can't see a difference I went ahead and assembled more links to start a second track. This time I was more careful with the glue and all of the segments articulate as they should. Also, I was able to spot a small difference in the pins, one set did have a very slightly larger head.

Next will be some more assembly and a trial fitting on the wheels.

Thanks also fort the steer on the MasterClub tracks. I read the reviews and they look pretty neat. I have more T-34 projects in the pipeline and will order a set of these to compare with the Modelkasten & Friul Model tracks already on hand.