The Official Armortek Forum - World leader in one sixth scale metal kits

Vincent,
Fantastic work on these links - they look awesome! Great addition for Panther owners seeking better detail and strength. Best regards,
Bob

Vincent,
PM sent on your Panther links. I can't pass up this opportunity to make Bob Morey's Panther even better.
Regards,
Bill

PM sent Vincent

Also sent a PM to you Vincent.
Cheers
Tim

Hi all,

Just to keep this topic boiling...a week ago Vincent kindly sent me some links for me to have a closer look at and on one for me and Mr Dremel make what ever butchering / adding to have the link made more accurate.
I have a real Panther track link and even a hundred photos can't compare with access to the real thing.

One thing we must remember is that the focus is that the links must fit the Armortek model.
As the sprocket is made with a measure to narrow on inside outer sprocket ring - inside inner sprocket ring, the link can't be made 100% accurate. The guide horns must be closer then on the real thing and that effect the squares on the outside.

However, the links look fantastic as they are and fit the sprocket and idler OK.
Some minor material removal and adding I have done, for example:
- Higher chevrons (2,5mm = 15mm in 1:1)
- Thinner chevrons (1,7mm = 10mm in 1:1), also changed the chevron configuration a bit.
- Add cast letters / numbers so with some Dremling 18 different number links can be done for those who wish.
- Plus a number of other changes.

Per//
The link is made just like the kit links with the link pitch 155mm in 1:1 so they fit the kit sprocket.
However....the Real links was made 150mm.
Please note the Panther links was named Kgs 65/660/150, the "660" was the length and the "150" was the link pitch (the distance between center trackpin - center trackpin.)
The strange is that my WW2 Panther link has a link pitch of 155mm, but it is a very worn out one and the links become stretched after a while. Removing one or two after a while is still today routine on modern tanks and something we in 1:6 also do.

The link will be sent back to Hong Kong tomorrow for Vincent to see and evaluate.
If the link can be done as my template it will be the first time a 1:6 metal track with cast numbers/letters is made for any type of 1:6 AFV and that would be nice.

As a teaser I post 2 lousy photos taken by a bad photographer (me) and my old iPad, Vincent can take better ones later when the final links are done:





Must again thank Vincent for bringing this pretty accurate Panther links (chevrons, guide horns) available for us Panther owners.
Now we just need someone doing the same with the late Tiger I links with its chevrons... hint hint
I can help, I have a real late Tiger I link as well.

Kind regards
Kent

Hi all

The Armortek kit links are made to a scale pitch of 25mm. Multiply this by six and you get 150mm. They are, of course, cast and subject to a small degree of variation, and they do stretch in use, just like the full size ones.

1/6th scale track links made in steel result in a very heavy track loop. Previous attempts to produce them have resulted in something which looks great, but does not run at all. The excess weight causes the track to jump the sprocket teeth repeatedly.

Some thorough testing and development may be needed.

Mark

Hi Mark,

Thank for the heads up and maybe Vincent shall reply here as I just help him with my Panther knowledge and he is the one making the links.

Yes jumping tracks might be an issue here and the tempting outfit use slack tracks like the real thing might be impossible even if the steel links are so much heavier then the kit aluminum ones, time will tell.
I shall reshape the sprocket teethes like the real ones so that might be a bit of help hopefully.

One other thing of concern is that steel is so much harder then aluminum and the links might eat the sprocket teethes.
I have consider and accepted that and will only use my links at display and at very very gentle driving. At normal and hard core driving I will use the kit ones.
I am more of a builder then a driver...

Can we wish for a Panther Ausf A with aluminum sprockets and steel sprocket rings as Armorteks next release please.
Those sprockets would also be a nice upgrade for us old Panther / JP owners

Keep up the good work and good luck with the Guinness attempt.

Kind regards
Kent

I have the drawings for these if you want. I have these in cast steel on my T1

I assume they are the same as the JP

I also have the drilling rig and tooling for the pins if you are casting them

I agree Kent a Panther A would make a splendid new kit

Hello all
When I get the track link from Kent .
I will start to work with China's factory. I will do the testing and make sure it fit Armortek running spocket before I get any money from you. If it is not fitted, I would sell it to anyone. My purpose is not for money, but to make Armortek Panther even better.
Vincent

Hi Kent,

Thanks for the update and info, I think he sent the track link to the right person.

Yes, I realized that after I posted my comment about the trackpin´s cc measurement (based on the Russian drawing in Achtung Panzer) I checked the original designation in Spielberger´s book and the distance is 150 mm - I guess the Russian had a worn tracklink too!

So how much norrower is the distance between the sprocket rings compared to the real thing in 1/6 scale - do you or anyone know? If not to obvious one can perhaps live with that (am I really saying this?). I´ll do new sprocket rings in steel as they will last longer than alu. Also the teeth should be beveled avoiding the tracks to climb.

/Per

If the Panther track link is successful, next will do the tiger's track link. We have five Armortek tiger 1 in Hong Kong.

I have the casts and proofs too if they will help. Sprocket drawings too. If not just ignore this