1:35 SHERMAN T-48 type track with duckbill extension.

The real subject

During the Second World War the American Sherman medium tank ran on several types of track, and builders tell them apart as carefully as they do turrets or armament. The T-48 type track is among the most commonly modeled. The widening end connectors called duckbills were added to the edge of the links: they increased the area on which the tank rested on the ground and lowered the ground pressure, so the machine did not sink so far into soft going.

Fitting them to the model

Fit the tracks only onto finished running gear, once the drive sprocket and the idler wheel are firmly in line and the spacing of the return rollers will no longer change. Cut the surplus material away with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the remainder down so that the links line up with one another. The material of the parts and the recommended glue are given by the manufacturer in the instructions. Wash and degrease the tracks before painting, otherwise the paint will not hold on the smooth surface.

• 1:35 scale
• T-48 type track with duckbill end connectors
• Intended for models of the Sherman tank
• An accessory to a kit, fitted onto finished running gear

Painting and weathering

A dark shade usually forms the base, and once it has dried, dust and mud are added to suit the setting. The duckbills wore first in the field, so it pays to suggest bare metal exactly there. Leave the rest of the track matte; shine belongs only on the surfaces where the track touches the ground and the drive sprocket.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers building a Sherman in a later configuration who want a track that matches the real subject. Paints, glue and other building materials are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.