Suffice it to say the T-80 series tank is my favourite. So when the metal tracks from Friul model came out, I had to get them to see how they looked and would work (and to see how they would fit the new X-act Scale T-80U kit).
Review
The real T-80 tracks are RMSh/РМШ - Резинометаллический шарнир - Rubber metallic hinge/joint. These are LIVE link pins, meaning there should be little to no track sag on a unbroken run of tracks. (And while the real T-80 tracks have 2 pins per end connector that BOTH pivot, the Friul model tracks only pivot on a single hinge point (the wire), which is NOT technically correct. Only the most hard core AMS afflicted will notice this issue, so about 10 of us World Wide will be unhappy).
In the box is a roll of soft metal yellow wire (not brass, not copper, not quite sure what it is), 2 larger bags with individual metal links and parts for one metal sprocket per bag, and a smaller bag with a smaller number of metal tracks. All told there are 180 metal track links and 2 metal sprockets.
First a BIG issue for me. While the tracks need the usual clean up and wire, they are NOT intended to have one long piece of wire through the pivot. They only have holes for the ends, but not through the middle connector, meaning...1 small (roughly 1/8") peace of "hinge wire" per track link, per side. Not cool. Seriously, this was a disappointment. Drilling through the middle connector is a lesson in frustration and very difficult to do.
The tracks and sprockets scale out very close to drawings I have. No dimensional issues that I can detect. Detail is sharp and crisp, as expected from Friul model.
The sprockets were designed for the older DML and SKIF kits. The sprockets will NOT work on the X-act Scale T-80U without modification.
The tracks DO fit the X-act scale sprocket.
SUMMARY
Highs: Detailed Metal tracks to replace some POOR tracks in older kits.Lows: 2 small pins needed PER TRACK.Verdict: Fruilmodel disappoints with the build of the tracks even with the nice detail. Recommended with reservations.
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...
Thank You for the review, Jacques. The Masterclub tracks totally don't fit the Xcact sprockets. Could You perhaps post some pics of the friul tracks sitting on the Xact sprocket?
Next: The Business.
The Fruil Model links WILL FIT around the X-act scale sprocket, but it is a TIGHT fit, meaning that you have to really wrap them in there. They are not OVERLY tight, nothing has stretched out or off, but they are tight.
The Fruil Model links are VERY similar to the Master Club MC135050CL tracks. They are SO CLOSE that the tracks will click together! But the MC tracks will NOT work on the X-act scale sprocket for the reasons outlines in the review posted earlier: The guide horn is too tall. Fruils guide horn seems to be short by just enough to fit. It is not a lot, but it is noticeable when 2 links are side by side. (I tried my best to get a good picture, but it still does not really show the difference).
Hope that helps.
Oh, and Spade Ace has 2 (!) sets of T-80 tracks out now, early and late. I will do a review on them once I get my copies. (I got mine off an eBay seller). The Spade Ace links SEEM to have shorter guide horns AND AND AND a hole all the way through ALL the connectors...so only 1(!) wire piece to deal with.
THX a lot, very helpful. I will try to dig out those resin sprockets from the tank graveyard. The other new Friul modern tracks are the same pain in the ... You need to make the metal pins intentionally shorter and add some plastic rod to fill up those ugly holes on the pin connectors. I am suffering through a run of Leo 1 diehl tracks. Its nice, but suggested only to gluttons for punishment (like myself).
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