Panzerwerk Design- Tracks for British Crusader Tank

I was turned onto this company by my friend Rob Riviezzo when I mentioned how much I was not looking forward to useing the Border Models kit tracks. I contacted the company owner Przemek Wojdas and he is a very personable creator. Based in Poland, the company specializes in 3D printed tracks and upgrade sets for armor in 1/35 and 1/16 scale. I watched Rob's video on assembling the 1/16 tracks for the Sd.Kfz. 250 tracks and anxiously awaited the box for the Crusader tracks. In the case of these, he gives credit to the tracks creator- Stephen Tegner, although Przemek most commonly designs his own products. 

Immediately upon opening the carefully packaged durable box, one can see the high level of quality and care that Przemek puts into his products. Things were securely packed and the links and pins come in separate plastic reuseable containers- 260 of each are included which gives plenty of spares to allow for breakage during construction. I only had one occasion where the track link had damaged teeth which is impressive. My first impression on opening the lids were questions on what I was getting myself into. These pins are very tiny- and I tend to have very clumsy fumbly fingers.

Plenty of spares left over after assembling the needed lengths

That being said, I closely followed Rob's advice and carefully used tweezers to assemble. I typically assemble in sets of 10 links for ease of keeping count. I quickly realized the ease of assembly and as I eventually got a rhythm going, I dispatched with the tweezers and carefully just used my fingers. Hold two links together tightly, carefully pick up a pin holding the slightly fatter end, and ease the pin into the track hole-- using my fingernail to click the pin all the way in. There are very intricate ridges that click into the links, securing them together without the need for glue. I only broke a handful of pins in assembling the two track lengths- but that was due to my clunkiness. The pins are extremely thin and brittle- but they really held together well. A small instruction paper slip is included. You can see from the photo above the number of leftovers after assembling the 177 links per side as per Border's manual.

Note the small ridges on the left side of the pin to lock it in place in the links

One side installed!

Conclusion

Rob had been talking them up to me for some time- so he'll be happy to here this- "Rob- you were right". These tracks are truly a dream to work with. Track assembly for me was my anathema- I truly dread doing them like I used to dread masking aircraft canopies. Not anymore-- I have already put an order in for the next tank I am working on. Przemek takes pride in his work and rightfully so- these are my new go-to for printed tracks.

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders.

Thanks goes out to Rob Riviezzo and Przemek at Panzerwerk Design for this review sample.

Reviewed by Michael Reeves

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