Dragon Tracks

[serpico]

Hello,

Great site and nice models, terriffic work here!

I'm a new poster to this forum, and was wondering if anyone ever used dragon Ferdinand/Elefant track links on the Italeri Elefant kit #211?

I'm backdating the Elefant to the Ferdinand and I don't know of anyone who makes tracks for this kit... I would like to use the links from the Dragon Ferdinand kit

Any help is appreciated...

Thanks, Paul

[Finnmodeler]

Hi,
at least Friul does metal tracks spesifically for Ferdinand. But cross-using tracks between models may cause fit problems with sprocket wheels.

Niko

[serpico]

Thanks for the reply Niko....I didn't think of that about sprockets.

Looks like Fruil is the way to go, actually I did notice they made them for the Ferdinand, but was looking for a cheaper alternative....

Niko, do you know if the Fruil Sprockets will work on the Italeri kit? Also, does the track set include the sprockets and idlers, like it says on the Fruil web site?

Thanks again, Paul

[Finnmodeler]

Originally posted by serpico@Nov 11 2004, 04:52 PM
Thanks for the reply Niko....I didn't think of that about sprockets.

Looks like Fruil is the way to go, actually I did notice they made them for the Ferdinand, but was looking for a cheaper alternative....

Niko, do you know if the Fruil Sprockets will work on the Italeri kit? Also, does the track set include the sprockets and idlers, like it says on the Fruil web site?

Thanks again, Paul
Hi Paul,
I really must confess that I don't know as Ferdinand/Elefant in 35 scale isn't really my area of expertise. But IF Friul says it's track set contains sprockets and idlers, then those should be included. But you better check from seller first.
DML tracks are of course cheaper alternative but more laborous. Actually I read an article from Track-link regrading DML Ferdinand saying that it's tracks are excellent.
Possible fit problem with idler/sprockets is solvable if problem is with length. If teeth doesn't fall into place, that's more problematic. Maybe cutting teeth off and glueing to new place with tracks?

Niko

[Finnmodeler]

Hi,
about Friul: Friulmodel ATL-62 FERDINAND (1/35) set contains 2 sprocket wheels. Doesn't say for which model it is but I guess it works either Italeri or DML.

Niko

[Pete666]

Accurate Armour do a set of resin Ferdinand tracks,in fact they do a conversion set to backdate the Italeri Elefant to a Ferdinand.
HTH
Pete

[Finnmodeler]

Originally posted by Pete666@Nov 13 2004, 01:29 PM
Accurate Armour do a set of resin Ferdinand tracks,in fact they do a conversion set to backdate the Italeri Elefant to a Ferdinand.
HTH
Pete
Hi Pete,
can you tell about the quality of these tracks? Friend of mine ordered flexitracks for Matilda but tracks were almost useless as other side is connected to cast plug which was quite hellish to remove.

Niko

[serpico]

Pete666,

I have the Accurate Armor track set, but they are horrible in my opinion...too much to clean up and they are too fragile, and not very flexible.

I didn't know about their Ferdinand backdate set. I am using the "On the Mark" PE set for the Italeri kit along with the Aber PE sets for this kit. I also have the "Hot Barrels" gun barrel, which includes the gun mantlet and gun mount collar (don't know what else to call it), the part with the bolts around the gun.

One of the problems with the Italeri kit is the lack of weld beads on the hull. I recently ordered some different sized PE weld beads fron PART, as I'm not too familiar with making them...so hopefully they're good and the correct size.

Regards, serpico

[Finnmodeler]

Originally posted by serpico@Nov 15 2004, 10:19 PM
I didn't know about their Ferdinand backdate set. I am using the "On the Mark" PE set for the Italeri kit along with the Aber PE sets for this kit. I also have the "Hot Barrels" gun barrel, which includes the gun mantlet and gun mount collar (don't know what else to call it), the part with the bolts around the gun.

One of the problems with the Italeri kit is the lack of weld beads on the hull. I recently ordered some different sized PE weld beads fron PART, as I'm not too familiar with making them...so hopefully they're good and the correct size.

Regards, serpico
Hi Serpico,

could you please tell how Part's weld beads turn out to be? And how does Hot Barrels gun and collar look like? That is quite complex part, right?

Niko

[serpico]

Finnmodeller,

Sorry it took so long to answer your post...I don't visit here every day.

Haven't got the PART PE sets yet as they're coming from Hong Kong, I'm in US. I got 3 sets, with 5 different sizes and their PE nuts and bolts set.

The Hot Barrels gun barrel, and mantlet is real nice from what I see. It includes the barrel, which is alumunum, a resin Muzzel, the gun collar in resin and the gun shield in resin. Its specifically made for the Italeri kit, so half of the gun barrel has that big round blob (spalling?) that fits into front armour plate. Italeri has this barrel part held in place with just a piece of plastic and like 4 plastic feet. Micky Mouse for sure.

Doesn't look too complex to put together. just a whimpy way to hold it all together.

The gun barrel however seems a little loose when inserted into the mantlet.

Another issue with the Italeri kit is the scissors hatch on top of the superstructure. Its not as accurate as Dragons. I'm using the Edward Elefant PE set to replace this part, and the bullet deflector that goes in front of this hatch...its a little smaller but looks better.

serpico

[Wayne Morrissey]

One of the more glaring problems with the DML tracks is that the chevrons on the face of the links (I.e. cleats) are backwards. Short of carving these off and adding some from plastic card (good project if you are marooned on a deserted island), I suggest opting for the Fruil tracks. These are available in both the types used for the Ferdinand (early pattern) and for the Elephant (late pattern). The Fruil tracks have the advantage of having the natural sag do to their metal construction. Well worth the money. Roll Models is one of the best and cheapest sources for the tracks.

Regards

Wayne

[serpico]

Hi Wayne,

Do you work for Roll Models? Just ordered some stuff from them. Nice web site and they have a ton of stuff! Instead of the Fruil tracks, I ordered the set from Armour Track Models. I think they're associated with Trumpeter. They include a set of resin sprockets and idlers, alot cheaper too.

Well, time will tell how everything fits the Italeri kit. I might need to modify the sprocket or idler mounts since they are made for the Dragon kit.

Right now I'm working on Tamiya's T-34/76 1943 version. I also ordered an Aber engine grill from Roll Models for this kit. I just received the weld beads from Part...
they look good but I had to order another one since I don't think there's enough for the Italeri kit. Their 'Nuts and Bolts' set looks more like nuts and washers to me...haha How do you make a 1 dimensional bolt??

I hope to post some pics during this whole process soon...

Thanks to everyone for the replies...serpico

[sharkmouth]

Hi Serpico,

Wanna trade? If in the US, I have Dragon's new flexible track from their Tiger (P) set which is accurate and gluable with regular styrene cement (it is made from Dragon's DS100)

HOWEVER, they would be incorrect for a Ferdinand. The tracks on the Ferdinand were different without the chevrons.

I have the On The Mark Models backdate set for the Italeri Elefant. It should be used in conjunction with On The Mark Models Elefant detail set.

Last, keep in mind that the muzzle brake should be identical to the Tiger I muzzle brake. This means that the Italeri kit is slightly small, the Tamiya (in case you were thinking it) is much too short, so a substitute should be found.

HTH,
Saúl García

[James Tainton]

Why does the Italeri Tiger-Ferdinand Porshe version have the cheveron type if it is based, (from the title) of the Ferdinand. Did they just get it wrong?

[serpico]

Sharkmouth,

Trade? For the Dragon Tiger Porche tracks? What would you want for them? I was considering buying the DML Tiger Porche kit for the tracks, but thanks for the info...I ordered the Armour Track Models tracks.

As far as the On The Mark backdate/detail sets for the Italeri Elefant, I have these as well. I also have the Aber set for this kit...the engine PE cover is more accurate than On the Mark's.

For the gun barrel, I have the Hot Barrel set, which includes the mantlet and shield, collar and a metal barrel with resin muzzle break, really nice. (read up a few posts). Looks accurate to me, comparing to photos in Karl Munch's book about the 653 battalion.

The DML Tiger Porche Command version used at Kursk had the Elefant tracks from what I can see in the photos, although its sometimes hard to see details considering they're covered in dirt, grass etc. The origional version had the Ferdinand tracks from what I can tell from a photo in the 653rd book, but who knows, maybe both types of track were available at Kursk?

Panzerfaust,

The Italeri kit is incorrect I guess... I have this kit and the tracks are the Elefant type. Perhaps the tracks were just holdovers from the Elefant kit since the Elefant kit no. is 211 and the Tiger Porche kit is no. 278? Not a bad kit but just not as accurate as the Dragon offering.

Serpico