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Why so much interest in a review of a set of 1/72-scale tank track? Well, I've often felt that a bad or toy-like set of tracks
can really spoil an otherwise excellent display model.
Set No. S72023
This review covers aftermarket small-scale model tank track used by the M3 and M4 Medium Sherman tanks with the Vertical
Volute Spring Suspension (VVSS). The VVSS track came in rubber block and steel construction with both flat bock with no tread pattern, and quite a variety
of tread patterns. This track type known as WE210, rather than a T-designation (T41, T49, or T56, for example). This track is not appropriate for the M3
Stuart light tank.
This track, popularly known as the WE210 type was designed for Allied M3 Medium tanks and sandy soil of North Africa, though I have seen it on Commonwealth Shermans
serving in North Africa and Italy. According to Son of Sherman the track name was actually named WD-212 but is more commonly known as WE210, or the Double H or
Double I track based on the deep unusual tread pattern.
This aftermarket track set has four lengths of 110-mm long gray resin track for a total of 440-mm of track. The average 1/72 scale M3 and M4 Medium tank uses
about 325-mm of track, so this leaves us with about 115-mm of extra track. When cutting the track shorter to join with another end, be careful to cut around
the end connectors and track guide teeth.
A close up view of the WE210 track, inside and outside faces and still attached to their pour blocks. Detail is great and casting quality first rate. I see
very minor flash to clean up. Cutting the track from the pour plugs look easy with a sharp knife blade.
Keep in mind that the VVSS track used on the M3 Medium and the M4 Sherman are "live track" which does not sag when in good condition, so when modeling a Sherman
variant it would not be accurate to show track sag like we would see on a T-34, Panther, and Stalin tanks.
My track was packaged in a small ziplock bag with no breakage despite no padding or box.
Set No. S72119
This review covers 1/72 scale tank track used by the M4 Medium Sherman tank with the Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS). The Sherman HVSS track came in
rubber block and all steel construction with several types of tread patterns, but not the variety found in the VVSS track. The T66 is an all steel track with a
single track tooth (a.k.a. guide horn) rather than the two end connectors with two track teeth we have on the narrower VVSS track.
Below is a photo of the six runs of dark gray cast resin OKB T66 track attached to their pour plugs. Each length of track is 77-mm long for a total of 462-mm of track. We'll need about 325-mm for an 1/72 M4 HVSS suspension so that leaves us with about 140-mm of extra track. Casting and detail looks very good, the best I have seen for resin track. Clean-up looks like it should not be difficult. In the argument over whether band track is better or link & length track is better, I have always felt that it all depends on how well the track is designed and cast.
The T66 type track was issued with the first Shermans fitted with HVSS in late 1944 and could be seen on M4(105), M4A2(76), M4A3(105) and M4A3(76) Shermans and on
late Sherman variants with HVSS suspension. Starting in early 1945 this track was supplemented or replaced in the production line by the T80 track.
Typically I would heat and soften resin track in hot water and bend it to shape over a form or around the wheels, but I have been told that the OKB tracks is
flexible enough to bend and glue without heating.
This cast resin track set would not be confused with the OKB Grigorov T66 track Kit #72077, which is an etched brass set of HVSS Sherman track (see preview of this set at
172shermans.com).
Keep in mind that the VVSS track used on the M3 Medium and the M4 Sherman are "live track" which does not sagwhen when in good condition, so when
modeling a Sherman variant it would not be accurate to show track sag like we would see on a T-34, Centurion, and Stalin tanks.
My track was packaged in a small ziplock bag with no breakage despite no padding or box.
Preview samples purchased by the author.
References
[1] Son of Sherman Volume 1, The Sherman Design And Development, Ampersand Group (2013)
[2] Sherman Minutia
[3] 172shermans.com
OKB Grigorov products are available at
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