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PANDA PLASTICS
Worn M4, T-48. 1/35th-scale styrene individual link, semi-workable track links. Contains 520 styrene parts and instruction leaflet. Price: $21.95 USD, plus shipping.
Taking a rather unique approach to marketing individual link track sets, Panda Plastics has re-worked these rubber chevron tracks to exhibit marked distress from heavy use. Thus, all links have considerable wear, which is most evident where the actual chevrons are in place. For the modeler wishing to match this excessive wear to a specific photo, this will save a considerable amount of time, as it has already been done in the molding process. In addition, this set also benefits from Panda Plastics new material and enhanced quality control techniques.
Like other sets from this manufacturer, the parts consist of 174 links and 348 end connectors, with six of the former and twelve of the latter per sprue. These make up a set of T48 Rubber Chevron tracks. Each part is cut from the sprue and if care is used with the knife, very little extra clean-up will be required. The end connectors press fit to each link, joining them together in a very sturdy yet flexible fashion. This is essentially why they are described as being semi-workable; the modeler wont be able to run his tank across the rug with these guys! Naturally, since there are many parts and the assembly requires continual repetition, a jig will be of great help, such as the one Steve Zaloga uses. It is made of Evergreen stock and a description can be found in some of his books and articles related to the Sherman tank.
Molding of the medium grey styrene parts are quite crisp; clever design of the sprues eliminates any ejector pin marks such as are seen on similar products from AFV Club. The track shoes are rather thick, which in the past had occasionally caused what this reviewer considers to be extremely minor sink marks. The new formula and enhanced quality control has resulted in the complete elimination of even this small glitch. This underscores the manufacturers commitment to the modeler.
I have fitted a length of this track to drive sprockets from Tasca, DML, Tamiya, Italeri and Academy; there was no problem with any brand except Academy. Naturally, the modeler is encouraged to test fit the parts and the instruction leaflet provides information on how to modify drive sprockets for proper fit.
The sets are reasonably priced and are cheaper than most commercially available individual-link track sets, except those offered by AFV Club. These are also probably the easiest to clean and assemble individual VVSS Sherman track sets on the market; unlike the AFV Club tracks, there are no ejector pin marks to laboriously eliminate. So the extra cost of the Panda product is off-set by the time saved by the modeler, which is a balance this reviewer can certainly endorse.
Highly recommended
Frank V. De Sisto
Panda Plastics can be contacted at: P.O. Box 2371, Northbrook, Illinois 60065-2371, USA.
Phone: 847-205-9573. E-mail Paul Decker at: shermantracks@comcast.net.
