Does anyone have clear photos of the T80E1, T84E1 tracks and how they are constructed? Some write ups talk about steel track, but, in photos it looks just like the solid rubber types. The earlier "steel" track like on the M-26 photos I have are not identified as type of track. I picked up a HB late model Pershing with two sets of tracks. One is clearly a steel set but the other appears to be a rubber track with an exposed steel cleat or just solid rubber. Anyone have info on this or know if there is a book available I can keep on the shelf that shows and identifies the different tracks and what vehicles used them? Stop the madness and clear the air!!!!

T80E1 :







T81 :





T84E1 :





H.P.

Frenchy...appreciate the info. The -84E1 looks like the set with the kit except that there is a cleat shaped like the rubber that stands out from the track. Right now I can only think that the pad is rubber with a steel cleat rather than all rubber.

What's your kit number ? 82428 ? If so, in the picture below, the tracks on the top are T81 all-steel tracks, and those below them are T80E1 tracks (the T80E1 is a steel-grouser, rubber-backed track) :



H.P.

Yes sir, 82428. The bottom tracks are the ones I was wondering about. The only pics I can find are either color with dirt all over them or B and W with no way to tell anything from them. From the mold on the tracks, it looks like the track is rubber with the cleat (grouser?). Is that right or is it just solid steel? Some photos show the cleat as rubbed to a shine like steel and the rest of it black like rubber. I never looked before, but am surprised with the amount of armor info available, even the most obscure, that there isn't a site or book to identify the different tracks and how they are painted. I was only familiar with the solid rubber until this build.

Maybe a drawing would make things clearer (from Bronco T80E1 track set) ?



Parts #A1 are rubber pads
Parts #A3 and A4 are steel grousers

H.P.

OK, SO THE UPPER, OR PART THAT CONTACTS THE GROUND IS SOLID STEEL, NOT STEEL AND RUBBER AND THE INNER PART IS RUBBER. The track, when new would be what, painted black as well as the connectors?

That's it The track link color is steel grey except the inner rubber pad that is black....

You can see the rusted steel on these similar Sherman T80 tracks



H.P.

Black&White photo, hard to tell colours but the track would be gray metal covered with dirt and all surfaces which gets rubbed against the ground or other parts of the suspension would be shiny. The polished chevrons shine in the photo.





These chevrons are not quite so shiny, possibly due to softer ground.



Left immobile for many years so the tracks have rusted

Frenchy....you are a fount of info!!! I appreciate the help on this. Like I said, I only have contact with rubber tracks. When I was in, all tracks were rubber padded. I did some time on a CEV, the M728 on my second tour, with the 25th Infantry Div, 65th Combat Engineer Bat. in Vietnam. I'll see if I can attach a couple photos on here.

Robin, great photos...I appreciate them with trying to get this track problem figured out!!!

First of all you need to decide what you tank has been doing lately:
1. Running in soft and wet mud -> dirt all over the place
2. Sitting still for many months -> more or less rusty all over, maybe also dirty
3. Running over ground with sand in it or over hard surfaces -> silver shiny surfaces where the track is rubbed, dirty or clean is optional. Moved around in the motorpool or on streets -> clean and polished. Running in the terrain or on gravel roads -> dirty with polished surfaces.
4. Gate guard or monument somewhere -> depends on how it has been taken care of. left to rust or yearly checkups and paintjob?
5. Museum? See nr 4.

Have fun with the build and post photos for us armchair modelers to critique the h*ll out of
/ Robin

Trying to figure out how to show photos. Was able to download but keep being told I can't move them to this conversation.....stand by

Click on Reply&Quote on my post with images in it and see what it looks like, to get the square brackets and the img-keyword
inside them you just click on the img-button in the menu-field at the lower edge of the editing window.

This thread could also provide some guidance:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/271466&page=1
/ Robin

I'm the blonde guy ......

Judging by the picture I would assume that you know ALL about how dirty it can get

Was that searchlight standard issue on the M728 or did you add it yourselves?
/ Robin

Thats the way it was when I got there, I assume they all had the IR lights........

One of my "Rust n' Dust" .....

The weathering on that M88 looks good