Tank WorkShop
0066

I built and reviewed the earlier incarnation of this set several years ago when it contained only the wheels and tracks to update Tamiya's three U.S. halftrack kits. So now it's nice to come back to it with some new suspension parts, which offer additional details missing on the Tamiya bogies, such as bolts, support brackets, and better shaping to the suspension arms. There are also an improved exhaust, return rollers, and new front tires with opened lightening holes. As mastered by Karl van Sweden, the parts mirror those in the instructions of the Tamiya kits and should not pose any construction problems if you can handle a bottle of superglue without bonding your thumb to your forehead.

As with the previous version of #0066, the rear wheels and idlers require some cleanup. You must carefully saw off the casting blocks on the back sides of the wheels, and then use a fresh hobby blade to open up the numerous lightening holes on each wheel. The results, however, are worth it if you want to get a more realistic look for your halftrack. I used the wheels several years ago on the halftrack in my Hürtgen Forest diorama, and was pleased with the result.

The tracks are also the same as before: resin copies of the Tamiya rubber bands but with new drive chain links positioned down the center of the track. When I reviewed this set earlier I noted that the chain links are too large to fit between the wheels halves when they are mated together. You can pare them down or remove them completely where covered by the wheels, but the visible teeth and the too narrow space they're supposed to travel through may draw attention. The resin set requires boiling water or a hairdryer to make the tracks malleable enough to wrap around the suspension assemblies. Consequently, you need to be careful not to let the heat distort the fragile wheels. And this would best be done before the upper compartment is fixed to the chassis.

On the other hand, if you use the Tamiya rubber tracks you need to take care wrapping them around the fragile wheels. I had no problem with the latter approach, and the suspension parts have withstood nearly six years with the rubber band tracks. Personally, I'd like to see TWS try casting the tracks in pre-shaped segments, which would simplify and eliminate some of the danger of this building process.

Along with the clean up required by the wheels, the suspension pieces have some flash that will need removing. Be careful with the "H" shaped suspension parts, so as not to carve off the square-ish pads that connect to the casting blocks. One of the two front tires in my set was warped into an oblong shape, but owner Jay Galbierz said he'll replace defective parts. (TWS gives you the option to order front tires with snow chains instead of plain.) The four pages of color instructions and text provide a good guide and complement the Tamiya sheet.

This kit is designed to bring out the subtlety of the additional detailing on the suspension, so don't go slapping a lot of mud over it. If you want to build a more accurate halftrack, TWS will get you there from the chassis down to the ground.

Review sample provided by Tank Workshop.

-tss-