Bronco Models is well-known for producing some of the finest after-market track sets available. Chances are, if there is not already a Bronco after-market track set made for whatever you are working on, one will be available soon. Such was the case for their recently released T84E1 M-47 track, which I have been waiting for ever since my Italeri M-47 ‘rubber-band’ style tracks split, and then split again, soon after I placed the completed model in my display case.

This is my first foray into building Bronco tracks and I went in knowing their reputation for being both excellent and challenging to assemble. Opening the box, however, I soon realized that these tracks would take even more time than I thought to bring together - too much time, in fact, for me to complete a set for this review. Instead, I decided to put several links together to explore the process and pass on what I learned along the way.

Opening the Box

The track comes in a side-opening box containing 23 sprues of soft brown plastic holding the track parts, and one soft grey sprue containing parts for two drive sprockets that will fit the (Dragon) M-46.

Instructions printed on the back of the box contain two simple diagrams showing an assembly guide, and color callouts are present for Gunze Mr. Hobby and Hobby Color paints, as well as for Humbrol and Tamiya paints.

A special warning is printed telling you to be careful gluing the parts, as “too much glue will influence the movable action.”

Cleaning

Each track link is assembled from several pieces of plastic that must be individually cut from sprues and cleaned. Some pieces (see image labeled ‘SprueShot_4 Points‘) have four attachment points along very thin shafts requiring a deft touch and a very sharp knife (I recommend using a scalpel here). All the other pieces have at least two attachment points. The tolerances on everything are very tight, meaning that you really have to pay attention cleaning the parts in order for them to fit and work together. Doing the math, you will have to carefully clean a sobering 2,548 attachment points for two runs of track – 720 of which are along the delicate thin shafts. Gulp.

Assembly

I recommend that you try to find a way to assemble these tracks in as expeditious manner as possible, lest you go a little insane. After several false starts, I built myself a little jig using a product I picked up at a craft store called Wonder Tape, which is a slightly thick and squishy two-sided tape, perfect for applications like this. Laying a strip of the tape down on a glue-proof surface provided me with a way to keep the assorted parts from going on walkabout as I proceeded.

I started by laying out six pads (Parts A3/A4) and dropping two cross-bars over the top of these (see image titled ‘Step One’). This will allow you to complete the first link by dropping a tiny bit of glue in two spots to attach the two additional pads (Parts A1) where they go. Once the glue has set, you finish the link by attaching the two small track guides, before moving on to your next link. The image titled “17 Pieces & 45 Minutes” shows my work up to this point.

Unfortunately, you cannot use free-flowing liquid cement like Tamiya’s product because capillary action might draw the adhesive into areas that will cause the track to set in such a manner as to make them difficult to manipulate later when you attach the track to the running gear. I used Model Master ‘Black Bottle’ slow drying glue and a toothpick to apply it.

Conclusion

These tracks are very detailed, and I can see from the little work that I completed that they will look really great once they are sitting on my model. The process, however, is tedious and demanding. While I think I can improve on my production rate, these tracks will take a significant about of time and effort to complete. For this reason alone, I would recommend this kit for experienced modelers only. The cleaning process alone is more than many modelers will be able to handle, or even want to attempt.

That said, I intend to finish these when I have more time, and I look forward to seeing them on my Italeri M-47.

I would like to thank the Bronco Models and Stevens International for providing this product for review, and to IPMS USA for giving me the opportunity to build it.