1:72 WWII Soviet T-34 Track Link

Photo-etched track links for the T-34 in 1:72 scale

This set from E.T. Model replaces the tracks from a plastic kit with links of thin photo-etched sheet. In a small scale kit tracks tend to be the weakest point of a model: they have a coarse relief, filled-in holes and cannot be convincingly bent. Photo-etched links have genuine see-through openings and a convincing thickness, and because they are assembled from individual parts they also allow the natural sag of the track between the wheels to be suggested.

The real subject

The T-34 is a Soviet medium tank of the Second World War with sloped armor, a diesel engine and wide tracks that gave it good going over soft ground. It is exactly the wide track and the way it runs over the large road wheels that are among the most distinctive identifying features of the vehicle, so on a model they are worth working up with care.

Building and painting tips

Separate the links with a sharp scalpel on a hard surface and work over a tray, so that the small parts are not lost. The easiest way is to glue the assembly on in sections, directly onto the running gear, and to let the upper run sag slightly. Use cyanoacrylate in the smallest possible amount, applied on a pin. A base coat for metal is essential before painting. The track looks convincing in a dark brownish gray shade with a metallic sheen only on the contact faces, which you will get by careful polishing with graphite or with a drybrush of metallic paint.

Who the set is for

• Small-scale modelers who are not satisfied with the tracks from ordinary kits.
• Builders of contest models and dioramas with a vehicle on the move.
• Experienced modelers who can manage work with very small photo-etched parts.

An accessory photo-etched set, not a complete kit. The base model, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.