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-
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