Improving Rhino Tank Tracks

by Nicholas Tompkins


Following the thread of painting Rhino tank tracks I have a fairly simple suggestion which greatly improves the look of a standard rhino.

Take a razorsaw and a medium file and remove the existing molded tracks on the rhino. Take care to keep the bogie rims intact. From direct experience the new Grey plastic is softer and easier to work than the older Beige plastic. Once the rough work has been done smooth the bogies down with fine sandpaper.

Now using Leftover IG track sections or the track from a $6.99? Gubbinz Bag use one long section of track and 4 individual links to remake the Rhino tracks. The link which "dissappears" into the track cover will have to be filed down to approximately half its starting size.

The long piece should be glued to all 4 bogies, you will find that the IG track fits exactly on the Rhino bogies with no filing needed! A single link on the end bogies will start the curve and the "half" link will emerge or go into the track cover.

Make sure to line up your tracks in the same direction when you glue on the tracks or your rhino tracks will look like they're going in opposite directions! If you prefer you can now paint the bogies and tank BEFORE gluing on the tracks.

I estimate the time to file off each set of old tracks at about 10 minutes- the trick is to have a fairly coarse medium file which can chew off the original track from the 2 end bogies, the middle bogies are quick work.

I recommend using plastic cement for this and all plastic modelling as it welds the plastic together and allows for repositioning before it dries. I also HATE having to break apart old rhinos glued with Superglue.

The result should please you, I have now made it SOP for any new Rhino's I construct.

If you cut the original sections of Rhino track carefully they can be used for reinforcing armor. To represent spare track links use more of the matching IG track.

Now that you have more detailed track the painting can be more detailed and the new track will readily accept washes/drybrush techniques.

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