Churchill British Infantry Tank
B.T.S 3 Heavy Track
AFV Club 1:35 Kit No. AF 35183
Kit review by Terry Ashley
The set consists of 5 sprues with 30 links and 30 connecting plates per sprue for a total of 150 links with the standard of moulding being very good with just the sprue attachments and two small pin marks on the inside of some link parts to deal with. These pin marks are easy to remove but if left they can prevent the two parts of the link from joining properely.
Click for larger view
Close-up of track links, minimal clean-up.
Just the sprue burs and some raised ejector pins on inside of links to be removed.
Detail on the links is well done with well defined detail on both sides of the links and casting numbers on the link face. Each link is made up of the main link and the inner connecting plate which traps the next link as you go allowing the articulation but you have to be careful to align the connecting plate so it doesn't prevent the link movement.
You firstly lay one of the connecting plates over the first link (1) and then trap in place with the second connecting plate (2) which leaves the first connecting plate just hanging there for now. You then slip the next link under the attachment shaft (3) and secure with the next connecting plate (4). You must ensure that as you attach each connecting plate that it is flush and aligned with the link shoe which is why you must trim the raised pin marks from the insides of the link parts.
When applying the glue use sparingly so as not to get any on the attachment shaft, I used Tamiya Extra Thin Cement sparingly without any problems and after a short time you get into a rhythm and the links go together fairly quickly.
While the assembly is quite straightforward fitting the assembled track runs to the kit idler and drive sprockets is a little problematic. With the front idler wheels the fit is not perfect as the links don't sit flush with the sprocket rim and some trimming may be required. The rear drive sprockets are more of a problem as the links don't fit well at all but as most of the sprocket is hidden from view by the hull panels the easiest method is cutting the teeth from the sprocket where the tracks sit allowing them to fit around the sprockets.
Vinyl kit tracks
The views above show the improved track link detail and definition over the kit vinyl track which makes for a worthwhile update.
Rating 7.5/10
Mr. Churchill's Tank See review for details. |
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Churchill vol.1 GUNpower 26 By Leszek Moczulski Published by AJ Press ISBN 978-83-7237-194-9 |
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Tamiya Photographic Album No.3 Has some excellent line drawings of the Mk.III/IV hull, turret and smaller details as well as full walkaround of the Mk.VII. |
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Churchill Infantry Tank 1941-51 Good overall coverage of all variants of the Churchill. |
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the Funnies A History with scale plans of the 79th Armoured Division Geoffrey W. Futter ISBN 0 85242 405 1 Is out of print and may be hard to find but has a detailed coverage with 1/76th scale plans of all the specialised vehicles used by the 79th AD from D-Day onwards. |