Hi All,
Doe's anyone know how many links are needed for each run of tracks on Dragon's 3521 ZSU 23-4V1 Shilka kit?
TIA
tom

Hey there Tom,

While I didn't use the kit tracks on mine, I had a set of Modelkasten tracks I used instead, and in the instructions its says 82 links per side. Now having counted my tracks many times, and thinking I had 82 tracks per side tucked away, when I put the tracks on, I had to add a link to each side, so either I mis-counted all of those times, or it is actually 83 links per side....either way, 82 or 83 links per side.

Thanks, Scott.
I think I'll just have to suck it and see.
Tom

For anyone building this kit I used 81 track links per side. You might get away with 82 per side but I'd not reccommend using less than 81.
What I did was stick a long (18") ruler to a smooth surface using blue-tack and then placed the links alongside it. Then, as I added links I used another ruler on it's edge to hold the links in place. As you place one link, move the edged ruler over it to keep everything in line. Then, when you have the required number, ease the edged ruler as far as you can to one side and put a drop of glue on the exposed side.
Slightly but are these tracks used on any other Soviet/Russian vehicles?
Tom

sorry if this has been asked before but while on the topic of tracks for the zsu, does anyone make rubber band tracks for russian armor? in paticular a zsu, bmp and t 80ud

thats what i was afraid of.....thanx for replying....

Hi Tom,
I would say the SA-6 which is based on the same chassis.

Olivier

The only CONFIRMED users of the same track type are the SA-6 family...launcher/transloader/radar system. The PT-76 and ASU-85 use slightly different track types.

Hi Jacques,

I'm going to build the Skiff Strela-10sv in the near future. The kit tracks are, well, how do you say it properly,.....not so good. But I can't use the trumpeter SA-6 Gainful tracks for the Strela kit?

Jurjen

Hi Jurjen,
the Strela is based on the MT-LB chassis. You'd better go with Friul tracks to replace the Skif ones. They are referenced for 2S1 Gvozdika and look really good.

Olivier

Thanks Gary for the tip, I was not aware of this reference. Maybe I'll have to give it a go as I like very much the range of MT-LB (and -u) chassis based vehicles.
I guess Modelpoint carry those tracks for the US. Any known retailer on the other side of the pond ?

Olivier

Thanks for the information guys!

Fruil tracks.nice, very heavy, but a pain in the rear to build/paint (IMHO).

Miniarm set...very nice as well, for resin.

Skif tracks. Not as bad as they seem. I had to use a set for an "emergency" build and they are actually pretty good.

In the end, if I had my choice, I would just use the Miniarm set because it also has replacement roadwheels and the resin tracks are pretty nice.

Sorry for Hijacking the thread Tom

hi Jacques,

well I think I will go for the Friuls. I always had good experiences with it. But for the roadwheels. I can't use the SA-6 roadwheels for the strela? Maybe I should consider the miniarm set though.....

Sorry but no, SA-6 roadwheels are not the same as MT-LB series roadwheels. If you want different ones, you will probably need the Miniarm set...

If I read this right, then the Friulmodel 2S1 Gvozdika SPH Tracks (ATL-56) are correct for the SA-6? I'm trying to use the kit tracks but I have my doubts as to how they're going to look when I'm done...they're cast well, it's more of a matter of installer errors.

Cyberwombat, NO, you need the ZSU-23/4 tracks. 2S1/MT-LB tracks are incorrect for the SA-6.

You can also use the DML tracks from a errant ZSU as well.

(Come on Gary, prove me wrong! I dare ya! )

Jaques - Thanks for the info...I'll file that away for later, I went ahead and used the kit tracks but will probably be doing this kit again - it was a lot of fun.