October Preview (Post Delivery)

Files are going to be delivered to all Patrons were active (and non-refunded) during October on Saturday 26th November (during GMT+1 Daytime) via Personal Message.
I would like to ask you kindly to not contact me atm unless necessary and if so please use instagram, I'm not available via FB or YT.
I've got a very small time budget, answering "when comes what?" questions just eat further into it, therefore I will update you as soon as it is absolutely possible to fix a date, just like in this post.
 
October's topic are Panzer III / IV Type 4 and Type 5 workable single link tracks in 1/35th scale.

Type 4 Track link:

This type is one of the rarer ones out there. While it has overall the same core-dimensions of the more common type 3 and 5 links, it has some unique features on the central rear wall, the "Griffleiste" has pockets instead of being undercut (done to keep wall thickness constant for casting in a more time efficient way during mold making) and we can find an additional bracing left and right of the center section for added strength to the running surface. 

While the front seems to be strengthened, on the rear we can still find an rather weak open type guide horn. (This track link was produced from 1942 on, further documentation is rare if present at all.)

The link comes pre-supported and blank in 1/35th scale. Its core dimensions and geometry is derived from a scanned Type 3 A link I do own as original. Use generic or non-generic pins I've included separately.

Type 5 Family

The Type 5 is together with Type 3 the most common Panzer III / IV tracklink. If you are in doubt when building a mid-to-late-war vehicle Type 5b would be a good bet.

All 3 variants are mostly identical, the differences are the guide horns that were strengthened further as the weight of the vehicles increased.

The designs are based on a scanned Type 5B track link I do own as a original, Variant A guide horn is scanned from my original Type 3A. The Variant C guide horn was scanned from a museum vehicle. Compromises had to be made for printability in 1/35th scale (wall thickness) and to some smaller extend budget related (= no sloped surfaces used for mold making/release only).

All Variants do come as pre-supported and blank files in 1/35th scale.

Type 5 A

Here we have the upgraded Type 3 core (in terms of how common this track was) now with ice cleats and changes to how the "Griffleiste" was undercut in the areas where the sleeves are -> mine isn't for example.

Main feature of the Variant A is the open guide horn we have already seen on Type 1 to 4. This is the weakest Variant.

Side note: Not all track links had cast markings. I have not seen one of this type with clearly identifiable writing. I've seen a lot of blank ones. I was not able verify cast writing used by aftermarket brands (some of those manufacturer coded don't even exisit ; ) That's why I left this one blank. 

Type 5 B

Here we see a change in the center, the Variant B uses a closed guide horn. This variant should be a good portion stronger compared to the open one. Produced from autumn 1942 on.
(Side note: Have a look at the privately owned Nashorn, displayed at Overloon, on facebook. They had a lot of problems with cracking Variant A guide horns...)

Type 5 C

This Variant should be the last iteration commonly used for the Type 5. The gude horn got some indents, further strengthening it while reducing drag on the roadwheels at the same time.
I can not say if the B or C Variant was more commonly used on late war vehicles, usually this feature is not visible on war-time photos. According to the "Panzerketten" book it was produced from 1944 on.

Track Pins

I have included non-generic half-length track pins in blank, pre-supported and patterned versions. Inner side is the side towards the hull, here the pins are disc shaped with rounded edges. there is usually a plate mounted to the hull driving pins back in when they have lost the securing pin.
Outer side is pointing away from the vehicle, here we can find a bend wire securing the pin to the track. For printability reasons the pin itself is smaller diameter than the real one, I've made up for this with the part usually sticking out being the right diameter again.

I hope this release does meet your expectations.
Thank you very much for your support.
Kai