Owners of the older Eastern Express PT-76 kit, as well as the more recent multiple Trumpeter releases, may all have one thing in common: dissatisfaction with the tracks included in their kits. The older EE kits had individual links molded in styrene. These required much clean-up; the method of their assembly and imparting realistic track sag could also become an issue. The Trumpeter kits tracks are in single vinyl lengths so assembly is not a problem, but replicating proper track sag will certainly provide some fun for the more fastidious modeler.
It is no stretch to say that these kits could all benefit from semi-workable, individual link, after-market tracks. From Russia, via Historica, comes this set of resin individual link tracks from MasterClub, with accompanying drive sprockets. It should be noted that the drive sprockets were designed to fit the Eastern Express kit and will need work to fit the Trumpeter offerings.
The tracks are well and crisply-molded and exhibit accurate details, for one of the several types seen fitted to the PT-76 and SOME of its chassis-mates. Although there are supposed to be 210 links included, my set came with 222 of them, providing a greater insurance should it be needed. They are designed to be clicked together, so there are very tiny nubs on one end of a link, which are to be fitted into equally small openings on the following link. The parts are extremely delicate; ham-handed modelers may destroy quite a few links prior to getting the feel for these little guys. I include this reviewer in that category! A devil of a time was had getting these links together (instructions are non-existent), when it was remembered that Terry Ashley had reviewed this set over on his PMMS site some time ago. So, this reviewer went to the source; any modeler considering obtaining this set should also do the same!
Using Terrys method this reviewer was able to get a good length of track together without any breakage. In many cases a tiny resin stub and/or a bit of excess pour-web material had to be cleaned off one end of a link in order for things to fit properly. This took a couple of swipes with an emery board; do all the links just to be sure. When completed and fitted to the model, it is recommended that everything be set in place with some super glue.
As stated, the set was originally designed for the eastern Express kit, so the drive sprockets will not fit the Trumpeter kits without modification. Use of properly-sized plastic tubing will save the day, and again I urge the modeler to check out Terry Ashleys PMMS review to see what needs to be done. Although the drive sprockets have some improvements in the shapes of the lighting holes around their rims, the hubs do not match photos. Some more work will be needed to fix this admittedly minor shortcoming; this reviewer suggests that mud be used!
Overall, this set exhibits a good balance between detail, final appearance and relative ease of assembly. While the latter exercise is a bit tedious, the modeler will have a fine looking display piece when he is finished.
Recommended
Frank V. De Sisto
MasterClub products are available in North America from Historica Books at: www.historicabooks.com.
