Armory

Pz.Kpfw.VIB Kingtiger
Kgs 73/800/152 late battle tracks
w/18-teeth late sprockets
universal

The Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf.B carried four types of tracks during its career [1]:

1. 660mm transport tracks
2. 800mm Gg 24/800/300 battle tracks with multi-part connecting link using an 18 teeth sprocket.
3. 800mm Gg 26/800/300 battle tracks with single part connecting link using a 9 teeth sprocket without holes. Introduced from May 1944. Holes offset from August 1944.
4. 800mm Kgs 73/800/152 single link battle tracks using an 18 teeth sprocket. From March 1945.

Illustrations of these can be found here. Note that conventional wisdom has it that the Kgs 73/800/152 tracks were handed, which Armory has duly noticed and implemented in this set. (Take care, as the difference is very subtle !)

The parts are very well cast, with discrete sprue gates and minor amounts of flash. Even then, due to the finesse of the parts, removing even this little amount will be no sinecure, especially in the open guide teeth.

Pitch is spot on for 1/72, but width is closer to 815mm, instead of 800mm, which, admittedly, is close enough in my opinion as it only represents a difference of about 2%.

While the instruction leaflet shows the parts that you should get, and where they should go, there is no indication how to get them to take the shape that they are supposed to take. I have heard this is best tackled using a hair dryer but I will need to see how this works out.

Conclusion:
If the highest level of detail is what you are after (or if you want a specific track type) this set is for you. You will pay for it with a higher retail price and a higher (and technically more demanding) workload, however.

References

[1] T.L. Jentz & H.L. Doyle, German Tiger Tanks VK45.02 to Tiger II: design, production and modification. Schiffer Military History.

Preview sample kindly provided by Armory.

This model can be purchased from

Article Last Updated: 04 September 2016