1:72 M1 Abrams series mid type tracks (solid teeth) w/ drive wheels, universal

M1 Abrams, mid version tracks with drive sprockets, 1:72, Armory

This resin set replaces the tracks and drive sprockets of a kit of the M1 Abrams tank in 1:72 scale. What sets it apart from the other sets in the same range is the version marked as the mid type, in which the drive sprockets have solid teeth. The set is treated universally and aims at modelers who object to the soft definition of plastic tracks in a small scale.

The real subject

The running gear of the Abrams changed over its service life in details that are clearly visible on a model: the shape of the track pads changes as well as the treatment of the drive sprocket teeth, where lightened ones appear alongside solid. It is precisely by these small things that the period a particular machine belongs to can be determined. If you are building a model from a photograph, it pays to compare the drive sprocket before you reach for the first set you have to hand.

Building and painting tips

Before building, wash the castings in warm soapy water and let them dry, otherwise mold release agent will remain on the surface and the paint will peel. Cut the casting blocks away with a fine-bladed saw, level the surface with a file and use respiratory protection when sanding. Resin is glued with cyanoacrylate. Fit the tracks dry first and check that the idler wheel and the drive sprocket sit at the correct spacing. When painting, a dark base, a careful dry brush in a metallic shade on the running surfaces and dust pigment at the end all work well; leave the drive sprocket a shade different from the track, otherwise the whole assembly will merge.

Who the set is for

• a build of the M1 Abrams from a later period than the early version
• modelers who build from a particular period photograph
• 1:72 scale, where a plastic track usually loses detail
• more experienced modelers working with resin

The set is an accessory to a kit, not a standalone model. It is supplied unassembled and unpainted; glue and paints are not included in the package.