M3A1 HALFTRACK - 1/16 - from Andy's Hobby HR

[GCB]

The real tracks are steel cables with steel pieces connecting them at every "link", and a metal guide down the middle, and then everything encased in rubber. The bits protruding from the sides are the steel connecting pieces, from which the rubber would wear off fairly quickly. The same goes for the guide in the middle of the track.

In use, the guide would probably wear off its rubber fastest, and would end up polished because it rubs against the wheels all the time.

Thanks Jakko. So, rusted black steel and rubber I guess.

 

[GCB]

Wow, this build is looking great!

Thanks Steve.

 

[Jakko]

Not rusted for the guide teeth in the middle. The ends could be rusted, though, AFAIK.

 

[GCB]

Agree on that! Will try to show some wear where required..

 

[Ron2]

Nice build you have going! I'm surprised they gave rubber band tracks for this kit.

 

[Jakko]

I suppose they figured that they were rubber on the real thing, so in this scale it wouldn't look bad.

In 1:35, even the AFV Club halftracks have soft-plastic tracks — only Dragon gives tracks moulded in hard plastic, which just needs a left and a right half per track. Maybe the folks at AHHQ/Takom thought this would be difficult or expensive to mould in 1:16?

 

[Ron2]

I suppose they figured that they were rubber on the real thing, so in this scale it wouldn't look bad.

In 1:35, even the AFV Club halftracks have soft-plastic tracks — only Dragon gives tracks moulded in hard plastic, which just needs a left and a right half per track. Maybe the folks at AHHQ/Takom thought this would be difficult or expensive to mould in 1:16?

I would think it wouldn't be any different than for tanks. I just bought my first afv 1/16 tank and the tracks are all links that have to be put together. So, it's sitting on the shelf for now. I'm dreading doing those.

 

[mustang1989]

I would think it wouldn't be any different than for tanks. I just bought my first afv 1/16 tank and the tracks are all links that have to be put together. So, it's sitting on the shelf for now. I'm dreading doing those.

It's not too bad Ron. I thought the same thing before I started mine and after a couple of bench sessions I was ready to paint and weather them up.

 

[Ron2]

Oh I'm not one of those people that abhors rubber band tracks. I was just surprised. Truthfully I'd rather have those than the individual links.

 

[mustang1989]

Nice build you have going! I'm surprised they gave rubber band tracks for this kit.

I know right??

I don't want to take away from the fact that this is indeed a good build going on but I was a bit surprised at the rubber tracks for a large scale kit.

 

[GCB]

We will see how it looks when assembled!

 

[Jakko]

I would think it wouldn't be any different than for tanks.

On the real halftracks, these tracks were single-piece affairs. Not separate links, but rubber that was vulcanised around a skeleton of steel cables and connecting pieces. It makes sense for a model to not replicate that with separate parts, IMHO (even though that's what Takom does do in their 1:35 M29 Weasel kits, which have a similar style of track).

 

[GCB]

Nice build you have going! I'm surprised they gave rubber band tracks for this kit.

Thanks Ron

 

[GCB]

Kept working on it.... but did an error that I cannot fix now! Hopefully not too obvious

 

[Ron2]

On the real halftracks, these tracks were single-piece affairs. Not separate links, but rubber that was vulcanised around a skeleton of steel cables and connecting pieces. It makes sense for a model to not replicate that with separate parts, IMHO (even though that's what Takom does do in their 1:35 M29 Weasel kits, which have a similar style of track).

Good info!

 

[Ron2]

Kept working on it.... but did an error that I cannot fix now! Hopefully not too obvious

View attachment 174073View attachment 174074View attachment 174075

And now everyone searches for the error!

 

[GCB]

Come on! Easy!
And Merry Christmas to all!

 

[BarleyBop]

Merry Christmas to all

... best wishes, safe travels and a happy Christmas to you too!

 

[Jakko]

Come on! Easy!

If you've built the kit, it's probably obvious, but despite looking at pictures of real halftrack components I don't see anything clearly wrong.

 

[Ron2]

If you've built the kit, it's probably obvious, but despite looking at pictures of real halftrack components I don't see anything clearly wrong.

Never built a half track and am not familiar. Plus I don't have the focus to go over the pics.

 

[BarleyBop]

I don't see anything clearly wrong

@GCB , if Jakko don't see, it is you that must be mistaken!
That is a bona-fide 'get outta jail free card' if ever there was one!

 

[Edbert]

Overspray on the engine?

Exhaust/muffler is green?

Steering linkage is missing but that's not a mistake.

At first I thought the radiator was mounted vertically not leaning back at the top, but then I saw the shroud.

I'll look again later.

 

[BarleyBop]

... can't say fer sure, but I think you may have a challenge getting a fan behind that rad...

 

[Jakko]

@GCB , if Jakko don't see, it is you that must be mistaken!

You must be mistaking me for @KA-22 I'm far from an expert on US halftracks, I just have some books on them.

 

[GCB]

Great.. the mistake I did, was to wind the cable on the winch drum the wrong way. As it is now, the cable would "rub" the frame if used.
But if no one sees it, I guess good enough for me.

 

[Jakko]

Ah! That's a pretty subtle mistake, and I think you could probably fix it by taking the outer layer of the cable off, cutting it off and winding it back on the other way …?

 

[GCB]

Problem is that I glued with CA the layers and the last piece.. so, too late. Will keep as it is.

 

[GCB]

Moving ahead

 

[GCB]

Painted the stars but miscalculated the size of the one on the hood... do not want to repaint, therefore will remain at it is

 

[GCB]

And except a few details and lights, front completed.