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Track Base is a new company with an interesting concept. A real track link is reproduced in resin and used as part of a display base. The Oak base is hollow with cutouts for the teeth of the track link.
The set is sold with a 2 ounce bottle of acrylic paint which is a match for Humbrol's track color enamel. Photo one shows the wood base and paint. Photo two shows that the base is constructed of thin wood, 0.1875 inch thick, to keep down the weight. Also visible are the cutouts for the track's teeth to be inserted when leaning the replica against the base. This was designed to help reduce the footprint on the display shelf.
The base measures 4.5 inches deep by 7.4375 wide by 5.625 inches tall. It is large enough to place a Panzer II based vehicle, such as Dragon's new Marder II, on top. The included instructions suggest staining, followed by two coats of varnish, to complete the wooden portion of the base.
The track link is an exact copy of an actual Panzer II link. There are quite a few blobs of resin that need to be removed as well as some casting blocks. Also, a few air bubbles will need to be filled. I have used Aves Epoxie Sculpt for this task. The track link does exhibit some wear and roughness caused by oxidation.
The modeler will need to drill out the track pin holes using a 1.5mm drill bit. I suggest starting with a smaller drill and working to a larger size. This will keep the resin from fracturing if one gets too antsy. Track Base does sell the track pin separately for $9.95 USD. See photos three through seven.
After using the included acrylic paint (two coats are suggested by Track Base), weather the track link with rust pastels and graphite to make it look like an archaeological find. Then, place the teeth of the track link into the slots of the wooden base.
Personally, I would suggest doing away with the wooden base and including the track pin along with a pedestal to hang the track link. This would allow the modeler to display the track link in an acrylic box onto which he can stack display boxes with models based on the same chassis or next to the models on the display shelf. Last, to save on shipping expenses, look into casting the track links in a lightweight resin.
I do look forward to having a collection of track links to display with my relevant models. The Panzer II track link is timely and so will the announced Su-76M track link with the announced MiniArt kit.
Thanks to Track Base for the sample set.
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