As both track sets are the same apart from the shoes themselves, these comments apply to both, except where noted.
The sets come
with 6 sprues with individual pads and end connectors. The end connector's,
which have excellent detail, simple, clip onto each pad to join together and
form the track lengths. No glue is need as friction and tension holds the links
together.
The only "problem" I encountered was that each rubber pad in set AF35019 had a small indentation in the middle of each pad. I wouldn't exactly call them sink marks, but enough to show. This was easily fixed by using an X-ACTO #11 blade to shave a small portion off to smooth the block. This was easiest to do after the links were fitted together rather than try and hold each block separately. This all added to the time to finish the lengths, but in the end also gave a worn effect to the finished pads, so all was not lost.
The instructions call for 66 shoes to make each length (per side), but I found that only 65 were needed for a perfect fit. They also fit beautifully around the drive sprockets, these links have obviously been tailored to the Tamiya kits as you would expect.
One final comment is that I have not seen any photos of M8 HMC's in service using the steel cleat track, only the rubber block track. There are a number of wartime photos showing late M5A1's with the steel cleats. The steel cleat tracks gave improved traction on icy and slippery surfaces, but added about half a ton in weight to the vehicle, so were only used when needed. Also when steel cleat track were fitted the grousers usually carried on the turret sides were not carried.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend these track sets if you plan to build any of the Tamiya Stuarts, the final appearance is excellent and really add to the kits.
Check out Tamiya's M8 HMC finished using the rubber block track.
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