|
Friulmodel ATL-78, US M2/ M3 Bradley/
AAVP7/ MLRS early type and ATL-79, US M2/ M3 Bradley/ AAVP7/ MLRS late
type “Big Foot” track links
by Frank De Sisto
Friulmodel ATL-78, US M2/ M3 Bradley/ AAVP7/ MLRS early type track links
in 1/35 scale white metal for Tamiya, Academy, DML or Trumpeter kits.
Contains 180 links, two drive sprockets and 180 nut/bolt castings, plus
steel wore for track pins. Price: $30.00 USD.
Friulmodel ATL-79, US M2/ M3 Bradley/ AAVP7/ MLRS late type “Big
Foot” track links in 1/35 scale white metal for Tamiya, Academy,
DML or Trumpeter kits. Contains 180 links, two drive sprockets and 180
nut/bolt castings, plus steel wire for track pins. Price: $30.00 USD.
I’ll review these two sets together as they are essentially identical,
except for the configuration of the rubber pads on the face of each track
link. The title of each set says it all; if you are modeling vehicles
used in the current war in Iraq, use set ATL-79. If you are modeling a
vehicle from the 1991 war to liberate Kuwait, use set ATL-78.
If modeling vehicles “in-between”, or in Bosnia, check photos
and match the tracks to the photo. According to Hunnicutt’s Bradley
book, there should be 84 links on the left side and 82 on the right side
of a Bradley, 89 on the left side and 88 on the right side of an MLRS,
84 on both sides of un-modified AAVP7s and 85 per side on the modified
AAVP7 with return roller. Hunnicutt gives no “T” numbers for
the different track types.
Each set also contains a pair of drive sprockets. Each is in two halves,
but each contains a second inner half for each pair of sprockets. This
is so the sprockets will fit either Tamiya’s Bradley and AAVP7 kits,
or the DML MLRS kit. This is rather considerate of the manufacturer.
As this is the so-called “live track”, on the Bradley, MLRS,
and modified AAVP7, there should be no sag, so the tracks must be mounted
accordingly, which may cause some problems for the average modeler. To
ease the chore, the modeler may wish to modify the kit’s idler wheel
mount, in order to be able to adjust the idler to tighten the track. The
earlier AAVP7s had track sag, so the modeler will have an easier time
of it. But remember, this is NOT a Russian IS-3, so keep sag to a minimum!
Both sets highly recommended
Chesapeake Model Designs is the exclusive North American importer and
distributor of Friulmodel products, but will ship worldwide. Note also,
that the price of these sets has again dropped down to $30.00 USD as a
result of currency fluctuations. Friulmodel products are available from
CMD at: www.chesapeakemodels.com.
New e-mail address is: bill@chesapeakemodels.com.
Telephone/Fax: 410-357-5496.
|
|