Many of the Battlekings that I have acquired over the last six months have been missing their tracks, so I have started experimenting with a technique I have used with other kits of using plastic strapping (such as is used to strap up cardboard boxes) to make new tracks.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhl7UvQcYIvyXgMfqtl-sIJmkHmH6EcsylRTwK5a8mxRW5bWcu31soq_yPdV_YwwykoS3IQ52uuPzNbze7PTcTBUMereGGWLKYfTKo3HqiwOgPISCizctAluG5Gmb1BKOUR-yIsoJWMTyQ/s1600/IMG_2543.JPG) |
A selection of tools and materials used to track the toy tank. |
I have improved on the normal method I used of just putting a band of strapping around the running gear by cutting small bits of strapping and gluing it around the curvature of the tracks at front and rear.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJSnhFCGzGjwA_awKnSAcMn6sgOrgzWN63do8LBdABHrqCdlfdqEVx3t3sh4uV6Ftws-xr5jYP5Im1F4W9BQ2XwovKWiA_rcyov3FqdIXJ6FkxwM_OebCdMyZULyn5E5ygwN1uKqrJfw5/s1600/IMG_2547.JPG) |
Despite losing the commander's head and both tracks, the original paintwork is disturbingly intact. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWR_QMlS8oYR6HS5ZsYsygD5EHmffczwFyBcynDregwdYF1ROUUn5S5YJ4jrncHk-wsYZREzu3Zad4OKM0BpjYZeCf_gHkjRdWbDN6KYvA7kP-7X00x5IO8F0hK7MCSp3sHAqYkCgxeJ_Z/s1600/IMG_2544.JPG) |
Strapping goes round running gear, small bits placed at curvature of track to create illusion of more detailed tracks. |
Ideally the small bits created should be uniform in size. I used the THAR (That Looks About Right) method to achieve this.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwINkHEpN9c9v82nYpdMSNU-HQ-K3jeOlF1V5kpdRbqzyKa8ZGmQwTgTe7Rx-RNPCHTzhMOMZqGSSVp4aVan9TLhsnA0eL24LSAtqBdKhQu5lk0LVmNTW46C7D37NKUeba9LOvvir6FvS/s1600/IMG_2545.JPG) |
Toy tank and lens cap |
The next step is to decide on a suitable head to place on the tank commander body, and then paint the tank up.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGS6hYWZss34Nd9KPgDY8tn-0Hf9uAEiRCREqobFsK_-ffKwonQA_PLe3rbATNf1-BmeDoDGl50YuGMUFImoSrVhdijCX2tnRlCw-VXvMXhN3zI7lgsuXEWDLePrh7FcbWcVUGi4nIo8_/s1600/IMG_2548.JPG) |
More tanks. |
Other tanks acquired recently have included two of the tanks from Hornby's military train set, and a Playart diecast Chieftain tank. (More on this to follow later)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlN1M9U8mDL8tbaQ3rx-c0vdHbLVUhPcTJUTNqL1temZn2gwWC3op5cRH2QGt8sGb4SvRUzCk45wfJkJ-tw7LtgcEWB6bNV3Lgn5XJVL8q2c0qKVrFV_W5Uzw8wOXtK0HlTW_gza4civ45/s1600/IMG_2549.JPG) |
Hornby Tank and Matchbox Chieftain |
The Hornby tanks are quite interesting as they seem to based on an impression of what features a modern tank should have, rather than on an actual vehicle. Given that I plan on using them in imagination moderns games, this allows me to give them stats that not overbalance play as they will be used to represent a tank that has been produced by a commercial interest to be marketed towards the lower end of the market.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0BPPBWsfyAnjn6RSZMz0y66kpgSOaJ3ng6NC2PL0L_42IHPwJRwptDGmjLVZkQZgpZS2Y1cBThZK5_lWzK-LvsZ1jxksSir6na2N2pdHonP-hrwzMhP4okpd6JLKLEJ-PzPsYTLkGpZb/s1600/IMG_2550.JPG) |
Side view and bottom view. |
They will require a bit of work as the running gear appears to be modeled backwards, and the wheels on the bottom prevent the tracks from sitting on the ground.
I tried this idea out on a Airfix Tiger about ten years ago after suffering with their terrible tracks.
ReplyDeleteIt did not work any where as good as these Brian. Kudos!
Great post.
Thanks Paul,
DeleteHopefully I will be able to adapt the technique to some other trackless model AFVs.
A rather effective refinement to a time-honoured technique. Good one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ion,
DeleteWith luck I should be able to use the technique to fix up a few other models!
Plastic strapping is commonly used to seal packages. But with your project in transforming it in to a new track, you definitely discovered a new and creative way on how to recycle plastic strappings. How is that going, btw?
ReplyDeleteThelma Bowman @ Quality Strapping
Thanks Thelma,
DeleteUsing the plastic strapping has proved to be a useful method of replacing tracks on models. I hope to refine the technique further, but so far the current method seems to do the job!