Accessory, Panda Plastics T51 Revised M4

PANDA PLASTICS

T51 Revised M4. 1/35th-scale styrene individual link, semi-workable track links. Contains 520 styrene parts and instruction leaflet. Price: $21.95 USD, plus shipping.


Reacting to modeler feed-back, Panda Plastics has re-visited the molding process that resulted in some of their track links exhibiting shrinkage. Shrinkage is a common issue when styrene parts are molded overly-thickly, due to the configuration of the item they seek to represent in scale. The time an item is allowed to cool in the mold, as well as the temperature and composition of the media are also factors. Panda informs me that the composition of the styrene has been changed and that, along with tighter quality control, will result in perfectly-molded parts

Reviewed here at Time on Target last year, this set provides the modeler with T-51 non-reversible rubber block tracks. This type is close enough in appearance to substitute for the earlier T-41 reversible rubber block track, which was widely used by US- and some British/Commonwealth-manned M3/M4 variants, particularly in the early stages of the war.

The parts consist of 174 links and 348 end connectors, with six of the former and twelve of the latter per sprue. When each part is cut from the sprue, 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 kits; only the Academy unit will not fit unless it is modified. 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.

With the emergence of many new M3 and M4-based kits over the past couple of years, the SECOND re-release of these tracks is quite timely.

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.

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