discussion Meng panther late production tracks 1:35 (Working)

[Del640]

My first delve into a review!

Ok, having built a couple of tanks I'm not over keen on multiple track links that require adhesive and rubber tracks can be a bit hit or miss when it comes to weathering (for me at least!)

So , I have a MENG Panther (late model) that I have wanted to build once my confidence was up, but tracks I wanted to be spot on.

Fortunately SMS stock the working tracks I wanted to try and at a decent price.


Review to follow.

 

[Del640]

Great value kit from SMS (Image 1)

The box contained :

11 x Track link sprues
2 X Track guide sprues
2 X bags if Track link pins

Other than the track links I needed a magnifying glass to assist in the build!!!

So, to start the instructions (all on the outside of the box) you set up the torsion side of things, which, to be honest is so straight forward is easy enough.


The track link and pins are daunting as are the track guides, however you get into swing of things thanks to the repetiveness of the task in hand.

Tip: use 'blunt nosed' tweezers, these are easier to grip the pins and for general ease.

To pins are miniscule, slightly smaller than the guides but both annoyingly tiny....my first attempt at a pin watched it reach Warp factor 4 and disappear into my carpet *

*At this point, I'd like to point out that the carpet monster stands f**k all chance of an easy kill here as the parts are so small I he won't see/hear them coming!!



Well, after lots of tweezer movement, you move onto the track guides...use Tamiya thin cement, this really helps with guiding the guides into Thier bases.

These tracks are great when built, but take concentration and a keen eye!

The most important part of any build in my humbled experience is preparation.

The track links alone are attached by seven points EACH, that is a lot of 'cleaning up' by any standard



Del

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the review. They don’t look like tracks I would care to build, if I’m honest. They would probably have been a lot easier to make if the track pins had been done in plastic and attached to a length of sprue (like in the Trumpeter T66 Sherman tracks I built a while ago), but then, of course, you have to be more careful with the glue …

 

[Bortig the Viking]

You are brave, rather you than me.

 

[tr1ckey66]

Hi Del
I’ve got a couple of these sets in the stash (along with a couple of Meng Panther ‘A’s) so i was interested to hear your thoughts. The tracks do seem labour intensive but, on the plus side, seem sturdy and well-detailed when built. Your helpful review doesn’t put me off but the clean up of parts does look tedious!
Cheers P