Gecko models announces US M4 Sherman T-54E1 and T-49 Workable Track Link w/Duckbill Track Extenders
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/gecko-us-m4-sherman-workable-tracks
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/gecko-us-m4-sherman-workable-tracks
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Interesting, but I would like to know what the parts breakdown is before I cheer 
If they build up like their Bronco counterparts, I’ll pass … If they have the pins moulded to the blocks, with push-on end connectors that actually stay on (I’m looking at you, AFV Club), I suspect I’ll be buying a good number of these.
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Gecko continiously announce new products (like the Otter, the hovercraft and now this track sets), but none of them are avaliable actually.
I think they are playing with us a “how many wanted” game. If some of the advertised item get´s much positive feedback, they release it. If not, they simply forget about it and cancel it.
At least, I hope they make the Otter.
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One of my long term projects requires a set of plastic T49 tracks. Cost and part breakdown matter.
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I have come to realise that when Gecko announce a product it will appear it just takes time. I suppose if you want to complain it is that they tell you too far in advance.
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I found that E.T. Models T49 (PT35-084) the best track to build. While all individual link sets are tedious, they gave me the best build that withstands up to quite a bit of handling without braking or falling apart. I’m not knocking Gecko, but the conversation did mention other makers, so, I threw in my .2 cents.
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“Dad, I’m going to have a baby”
says the 10-year old and shocks her parents.
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I understand some get frustrated, but the cost and quality for me is worth the wait.
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curious to see if anyone has built a set of these yet. would love to see photos of how they go together.
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The Gecko tracks are included with the Ram kits they put out. It is a 6 part link if you want the duck bills. I will be replacing mine with Quick Tracks click togethers
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those kind of remind me of the miniart tracks…the duckbills as a separate part is very difficult to get those all lined up properly…
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@shermaniac yep, almost exactly the same build type as the Miniart WE210 and Bronco WE210. After attempting both I will be binning all tracks like this and replacing them with easier to assemble 3D printed replacements.
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I wonder if the build on these can be accelerated by gluing the two track pad halves together first, then cutting the big ends off of the end connectors and just pushing them into place? that would speed up the process tremendously. I’m thinking the blade would leave just enough of an edge to effectively turn them into push and lock type deals. all I need is the get the whole track to stay together long enough to glue it in place once the tension is where it needs to be…
It would almost certainly also result in the track falling apart if you flex it or turn it over. I haven’t built the Gecko ones yet that I have in the stash, but MiniArt’s pins are loose enough that they come out easily if you cut the half-moon part off the end.
If you build yourself a simple jig, the MiniArt parts go together quite easily. I don’t expect the Gecko ones to be any different, but it will take a while for me to find out for sure, as I won’t be getting to a model that I want to use them on in the near future …
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Thanks for the heads up!
Surprisingly I don’t own any of the Miniart ones or these either…I’ve mostly depended on panda plastic tracks for my workable tracks over the years. With them shutting down I’m going to have to figure something else out.
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I recommend QuickTracks resin snap togethers. They are nicely detailed and simple to assemble. I used a set for my M4A3 Dozer build
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Are the QuickTracks VVSS or HVSS tracks?
Are you referring to the Canadian tank “cuddles” the one you built for Shermania?
I thought that was an M4A2 you converted from an Asuka M4A3 kit. Maybe I’m mixing up some builds.
How did those tracks go together?
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VVSS me thinks.
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Yes Cuddles for Shermania I used the Quick Tracks T49’s. They are very enjoyable to snap together, took maybe an hour to do both runs. They make both HVSS and VVSS tracks.
You can see here how they https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmE3yhTtT7g&t=30s
I am eventually going to convert an A3E8 to an A2E8 to represent one of the Ont R’s vehicles
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