The MT-LB is a widespread vehicle with lots of variants however with only a few 1/35 kits available. The kit supplied tracks are often of moderate detail and often best replaced. The best set of replacement tracks previously available were from Fruilisimo but they only represented the older (early) style of track. Now there is a good replacement set for the late version of the track to help model more modern vehicles.
Review
The tracks come in two plastic baggies with a label on the outer one. The links are well molded, cleanly cast with minimal cleanup needed if any, and there are 250 links in the bags. The castings are very well detailed, with correctly molded guide horns, lightening holes in the out "pads", and with excellent bolt detail on the side. Refer to the photo at right for a side-by-side comparison of the Metal Fruilisimo tracks, the Master Club tracks, and the SKIF kit tracks.
The links are individual, cast in resin, with a nob and hole system that will connect the links very securely. I measured the links with my digital calipers: 4.71mm Wide by 10.00mm Deep by 4.52mm Tall including the guide horn and they compare accurately with all my references for late type RMSh tracks.
Conclusion
I was able to place the tracks on both a SKIF 2S1 sprocket and a SP Designs MT-LBu sprocket. They fit just fine BUT BE CAREFULL. I did a lot of dry fitting on these sprockets and if not careful, broken guide horns can result. Notice how thin those guide horns are! Also, the tracks will split easy if you force them together too hard. Both SKIF and SP Designs road-wheels and Idlers fit the tracks without problems. This is a excellent set of replacement tracks that are very easy to assemble but are delicate to deal with.
SUMMARY
Highs: Accurate and easy to assemble, fits current kit sprockets/wheels/idlers.Lows: Can be delicate to deal with.Verdict: Excellent set of replacement tracks worth the money.
About Jacques Duquette (Jacques) FROM: MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES
The first model I remember building was a glow-in-the-dark P-38, running around my bedroom in the dark flying it, and stubbing my toes. I do a lot less running around with glowing models now. I mainly focus on 1/35 armor and figures, with Modern Russian military vehicles being my favorite. I a...
well, I served on 2S1 and I would like to tell that these tracks are extremely realistic! But I must admit that they`re can be used ONLY on MT-LBu family, because tracks of MT-LB are a bit different
These tracks are NOT correct for a ZSU or SA-6 (Or BTR-50/PT-76 or a ASU-85).
They are specific to the MT-LB and MT-LBu family of vehicles.
Aleksey, I have seen these tracks used on more modern versions of the MT-LB chassis, like the AZM and MT-LB MA6. Admittedly they are more show pieces than in mass use in the Russian or Ukrainian military, but it does show that these tracks are being used on not just the MT-LBu.
May be that`s right. But, on MT-LBu were tracks (with rubber-metal sarticulation) presented here. And on the MT-LB there`re a bit different tracks with OPEN sarticulation
that is a difference. Unfortunately I haven`t photoes to show it
Comments