Designed primarily for the Tamiya T-55 the tracks will also fit the Skif T-55 with a few modifications to the drive sprockets and also the Esci T-55 kits.
The set consists of about 100 small sprues with two track links and four track pins on each and as only 88 links are needed per side that leaves quite a few left over. There are also four extra sprues with small fittings for the Skif drive sprockets and brackets for spare track links on the kit fenders and two track assembly jigs.
The big news here is the tracks and pins are handed with different pins for the inside and outside of the left and right track lengths. (See images below).
Notes on fitting the tracks to the Tamiya T-55 kit;
The Modelkasten instructions say there should be 87-88 links per side,
I found that 88 would be the right number but some adjustment of the Tamiya idler
axle is required to get the best sag on the tracks. When assembling the Tamiya suspension
don't glue the idler axles (parts A11) in place until fitting the Modelkasten tracks.
Assemble the Modelkasten tracks taking care to get the pins #2 on
the outside of
both track lengths, meaning you reverse the side pin #2 goes into for left
and right tracks.
Slip the tracks around the Tamiya suspension (fit the tracks over
the drive sprockets while off the axle and then slip onto the axle) and then
adjust the pitch of the front
idler wheel axle until the correct sag is obtained, the track should just
be off the first and fifth road wheel and sit flush along the middle three
road wheels in a smooth arch without noticeable sag between the wheels.
When you have the correct sag apply some liquid cement to the idler axles
to fix in place.
To remove the tracks later simply slip the drive sprocket of the axle (you
have to love those poly caps).
The fit around the Ecsi drive sprocket is a little tight but will fit without modification while the fit around the Skif sprockets is okay once the modifications to reduce the width are done as shown in the instructions, but quite frankly it will take more than a set of tracks to rescue that kit.
A nice clear instruction sheet shows the assembly sequence of the tracks, the spare tracks and the alterations needed for the Skif drive sprocket.
Highly recommended.
Page Created 16 April 2003
Page updated 19 April 2003