After using white metal on the 1/35s, I cannot help but be irritated by the link and length tracks with my 1/72 Revell of Germany kits for instance. Are there any convincing aftermarket track options for 1/72, even quality vinyl?

Hi Brian,
OKB Grigorov tracks look really nice

http://shop.okbgrigorov.com/

Sean

They do have some nice pieces! I'm no expert in resin... I have used Black Dog, Verlinden etc. stowage, boxes, netting etc. but don't see how I would cut/assemble the tracks? Looks like they come in sections of 11cm

I wish there was a metal option from someone -- I guess that would be torture.

I have an old Hasegawa 1/72 PZ IV D that I put foldable/PE style tracks on, but they have no "meat" to them --- too thin looking

Hello Brian,

OKB tracks are now really the 'industry standard' for Braille scale tracks, there are not many better alternatives out there. They are a very flexible resin and there is no need to cut the strips - other than to get them to fit at the end. You can heat them gently with a hair dryer (do it gently as a blast of heat will deform them) to bend them around the sprockets and idlers, you can also get realistic sag using this method. I have used them now for nearly all my recent builds and wouldn't use anything else.

PzIII 38cm tracks bent around a OKB early PzIII sprocket...


SdKfz 11/251 tracks fitted to a SdKfz 11...


PzIV 40cm tracks fitted to a Dragon PzIVF...


I hope this demonstrates how good these tracks are. They take paint well and are as well detailed as Fruil tracks...


Fruil Panther Mid tracks on the left and OKB Panther Mid on the right.

Hope this helps in some way.

All the best,

Paul

Wow - perfect!. The sight seemed confusing but can I order direct from them?

Do you always have to beat them to bend around the sprocket? Can you put under warm or hot tap water to get them flexible enough ?

Thanks again for the info - this forum is awesome

Also how many of these track kits do I need per model? Just ordered some to try out thanks

Relatively easy to cut cleanly off the blocks?

Hello Brian,

Some people prefer to use hot water, it works just as well as gentle heat from a hair dryer. Sometimes they will go around the sprocket/idler easily without heat, but I find a little heat helps 'set' the shape around them.

One set will do a single tank, you will have some track over to use as spare track link applique armour.

The tracks are attached by very fine, pin like pieces of resin, just run a scalpel blade gently and carefully along the track and they will come away very easily.

When you first use them I would suggest you get used to them by trying them out on the model to see how they will fit. I normally begin to fit them at the top of the sprocket, bend them around the sprocket and then along the bottom of the running gear. You will probably then have to add another length and take that around the idler, then across the top of the running gear to join up at the sprocket again. This is my method and I find it works well. Hope this of help to you.

All the best,

Paul

Thanks guys, I'm not the OP, but I've ended up with a couple of 1/72 armor kits sans tracks. The OKB stuff looks like a winner. Anyone aware of a US source/ distributor? I'm trying to convince my wallet that spending U$22 on tracks for a free kit is a good deal.

ThNks again Paul! Look forward to trying them when they arrive.

Can I paint before install or fit, then paint then reinstall? They do look like they take paint well. I suppose I could paint, install, then touch up as needed

Hello Mark,

OKB ship worldwide and have reasonable postage rates, I don't know of any US distributor, but you could send OKB an email to find out if they do have one.

All the best,

Paul

Hello Brian,

I always fit my tracks in place (superglue, forgot to mention that) and then paint in situ. However I know lots of modellers who do it differently and use variations of what you have described, whatever your preference is go with that. If you go on the OKB Facebook page there are lots of examples of how people use the tracks. I am not on Facebook, but it is a 'Public' site so you can view the content.

All the best,

Paul

Wow! Those are amazing.

I was always disappointed with the rubber band tracks at 1/72.
I may have to dive back in!

OKB is the best option but at the same time it is quite expensive for non-Western modellers. If you can afford it, that will be a good option.

You may also wish to consider PE tracks - company named Armory produces them for several vehicles. Quality is very, very good. Ace produces rubber tracks for some kits too.

Brian, since you will be replacing your tracks, would you consider selling or donating plastic tracks you won`t use? I have a huge collection of tanks and other vehicles that are waiting for a refurbishment - I`m replacing old tracks (Airfix, Hasegawa, Esci) with new ones, including those of Revell. In other words, I`m looking for good plastic tracks as a replacement. Or maybe anyone else have some spare tracks?