M3 Honey track...

[Guest]

Italeri’s Sherman suspension has separate sprocket rings, and comes with both the “webbed” type and the ones with the simple circular centre.

Chief problem with this is that the track Italeri used to supply with these kits was, as I’m sure you know, rather stiff. Especially the webbed type of sprocket ring had a tendency to come loose under the force the track exerted on it.

[Guest]

Italeri’s Sherman suspension has separate sprocket rings, and comes with both the “webbed” type and the ones with the simple circular centre.

Chief problem with this is that the track Italeri used to supply with these kits was, as I’m sure you know, rather stiff. Especially the webbed type of sprocket ring had a tendency to come loose under the force the track exerted on it.

Yes, I was just musing and getting the grey cells to work as I could remember these which proves how old the kits must be.

[Guest]

Update.
Today the Fruils arrived, and first a Thank you to Historex of Dover for a first class service, with whom I would have spent a lot more money had the parking area outside accomodated a 44 ton truck and trailer.
The box was opened with some trepidation and I must admit to a feeling of wasted my time and money. But I am a big boy now and know when to admit I am wrong...
The goodies in the box...
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Instructions - you get two sets, one is the usual safety etc instructions, and the other is for the assembly of the track.
You can see here three bags - top left is the track links for 'straight sections, top right are the outside track pads and bottom centre ia a bag of slightly off centre links for completing the sbaded areas on the drawing to the left, sprocket, first road wheel and idler wheel - plus the obligatory brass wire, which in this set did have a wicked amount of spring in it - you have been warned, luckily it hit the optivisor and not my eye.
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So the test fit went very well indeed, with just three links pushed into place before any wire or c/a were used... OK so connect up a set of links and see how a short length will do...
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I think that speaks for itself a near perfect fit and more importantly a fit that is acceptable. I would advise that before you construct the drive sprockes you give the insides a gentle rub down just to thin the drive sprockets out. This will give you a bit more 'play' as the width is a bit tight. Too late for me, but will be remembered for any future Honey's.
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Here are the front set, I have seven joined together but would advise to use eight of the 'tilted' links, then two for the first road wheel and of course half an idler wheel amount. With two 'straight' links beween the drive sprocket and the front roadwheel two links.
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just as a size comparison between the links for the Honey and a set for my Chieftain build. You can see the brass rods for each link. I di not c/a the end which is usual but put a touch of c/a in the middle of the link so that the rod was glued to the link. This allows the links to have full mobility. The small 'block' is actually one of the track pads which is located in the two depressions and over the brass rod, with a small blob of c/a paced there before attachment.
So thanks to Fruil for making the tracks that actually fit, and now it is on with the second set of drive sprocket links and then the rest of the tracks. I will publish pics once these are built and in place.
Mike.

[JR]

Good for you Mike, big relief. Those Fruils are the dogs, I actually enjoy building them , sad I know :nerd:

[Guest]

That certainly fits a lot better than the AFV Club track does. Now the fun of putting it all together

[Guest]

Hi Mike I'm glad to see you won in the end, no doubt you'll have them all together by lunchtime :smiling5:.
Pete .

[Guest]

Hi Mike I'm glad to see you won in the end, no doubt you'll have them all together by lunchtime :smiling5:.
Pete .

Lunchtime, head on desk snoring, track bits stuck to head....
Mike

[tr1ckey66]

Gotta love then Fruil tracks :hungry:
Paul

[minitnkr]

It's always a pleasure to work with proper parts. Sometimes they're even worth the cost. PaulE

[Dave Ward]

I have to admit that the Honey/Stuart individual track links defeated me. I never got as far as fitting to the sprockets!! The sheer number of end connectors sapped my will to live!
I've never yet succumbed to metal tracks - I baulk at spending as much on the tracks as I did for the entire kit! - I don't think I'd enjoy using them for that reason!
Dave

[Guest]

I have to admit that the Honey/Stuart individual track links defeated me. I never got as far as fitting to the sprockets!! The sheer number of end connectors sapped my will to live!
I've never yet succumbed to metal tracks - I baulk at spending as much on the tracks as I did for the entire kit! - I don't think I'd enjoy using them for that reason!
Dave

Dave,
Very true with the end connectors, I think that is why it stayed in the box for so long. But in defence of the Fruil tracks, it was the lesser of two evils, do I cut four new sprockets, and then succumb to the madness that comes from chasing end connectors all over the floor, or even assemble the tracks in a large plastic bag. I went for the Fruils out of desperation before actually resorting to major surgery, and luckily they were the correct course. I only resort to the Fruils if there is no alternative, and agree that in some cases the financial layout far exceeds the need.
Mike.