Hello

I'm seeking to buy some 1/72 scale (anti slip) tread plate, of the type seen commonly on German WWII vehicles, (on mudguards of tanks for example), but need a few large rectangular pieces, up to about 5cm (or 2 inches) long and almost as wide.

I'm having trouble finding any, LHS in my part of the world don't carry any.

Any suggestion for a manufacturer and reliable retailer who sells online, and carries the stock ?

thanks
Neil

Hi Neil!
I'm afraid you didn't specify the type, mate.
So far I'm aware of 3 types of anti-slip surface tread pattern used by the Germans and they are:
1. Diamond (of universal use, on some tank fenders too, Pz II for example);
2. "Pimples" (as seen on many tank fenders, Pz III for example);
3. Single cross-stitch (as on Ferdinand/Elefant fenders, from memory).
However, your question smells like you're cooking something unusual again!
Cheers!

Hello

Any type will do, I don't know that it could ever be proved one way or another what type of tread plate would be used.

I have just started converting a Kanonewagen into a particular type of Flak and Kanonwagen with a 37mm flak gun, as seen on Panzerzug 32, so need a piece of anti slip tread about 5cm x 4cm for the floor of the open compartment I'm building into the wagon.

From viewing photos of this particular wagon, its my belief that in reality these are a conversion from a straight Kanonenwagen, as the body structure is different to a standard Flak & Kanonenwagen. So if the germans could do such a conversion, seems OK for me to do it also.

I also need a piece of tread plate to replace the floor surround under the other standard Flak and Kanonwagen with the Wirbelwind turret, as what I have isn't up to standard.
Where the open doors are on that wagon I used dimpled foil, which is barely up to standard, but as will be opening up the side doors on this current build, and then all side doors on the Kommandowagen, I want some nice tread floor to lay down in them too. Seems crazy to do a lot of extra work and scrimp on a bit of floor plate on these wagons.

And then there is another Panzerjaeger wagon to build too. I wasn't very happy with the decal anti slip tread I used on that.

And when this half train is complete, maybe some more railway 'oddballs'.

cheers
Neil

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Well, it sounds like I'll test the speed of the mail snails again
The plate is 48 x 108 mm, diamond pattern, which is a bit oversized for the scale, perhaps, but looks OK when in place, painted and weathered. The thickness is the usual 0,2mm, the metal is again the usual stainless steel.
The same pattern I used on the BR52 locomotive (steps and catwalks both sides of the boiler), in case you still keep those WIP pictures.
Cheers!

Hi Neil, one trick that i have used for years is cheap and cheerfull and it works too!I dont know what neck of the woods you are in but i use ordinary sticking plasters, the type used for small cuts or grazes. Elastoplast is one brand name. Have a look at the pattern on the "peel off" plastic bits. Most brands have a cross hatch pattern thats suitable for metal treadplates. Simply take a piece of plasticard of the thickness you require and lay the pattern over it. Now run liquid cement underneath and after a second or so just apply light pressure. Leave for a while, i normally build up a supply and then put to one side for 24 hours.When all is dry just peel off the plastiky bit and you can have all the treadplate you want and as we say here in Lancashire "tha got it fer next ter nowt!

I recently attended the AMPS show in Indiana and visited the Archer Transfers booth looking for rivet details and found that Archer has began producing a range of resin treadplate decals designed for train enthusiasts. These details will work fine on braille model kits as well and I was ecstatic at the thought of finally being able to add a tread plate pattern to my Trumpeter stug fenders.

In addition to several other details, Archer is also producing resin decal louver sets which will come in very handy on certain softskins.

The sets aren't cheap but they certainly appear to provide a quality alternative to treadplate creation.

Here are a few links to the Archer site...

Locomotive treadplate HO scale (1/87)
http://www.archertransfers.com/AR88043.html

Locomotive treadplate O scale (1/87)
http://www.archertransfers.com/AR88068.html

Resin louver mix HO-scale (1/87)
http://www.archertransfers.com/AR88056.html

Surface details main page
http://www.archertransfers.com/SurfaceDetailsMain.html

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Peter

n/t

Hello Dave, Ilian, Peter

thanks for the responses, 3 possible solutions there, problem resolved

kind regards
Neil