Friulmodel ATL-78, US M2/ M3 Bradley/ AAVP7/ MLRS early type and ATL-79, US M2/ M3 Bradley/ AAVP7/ MLRS late type “Big Foot” track links

by Frank De Sisto

Friulmodel ATL-78, US M2/ M3 Bradley/ AAVP7/ MLRS early type track links in 1/35 scale white metal for Tamiya, Academy, DML or Trumpeter kits. Contains 180 links, two drive sprockets and 180 nut/bolt castings, plus steel wore for track pins. Price: $30.00 USD.
Friulmodel ATL-79, US M2/ M3 Bradley/ AAVP7/ MLRS late type “Big Foot” track links in 1/35 scale white metal for Tamiya, Academy, DML or Trumpeter kits. Contains 180 links, two drive sprockets and 180 nut/bolt castings, plus steel wire for track pins. Price: $30.00 USD.

I’ll review these two sets together as they are essentially identical, except for the configuration of the rubber pads on the face of each track link. The title of each set says it all; if you are modeling vehicles used in the current war in Iraq, use set ATL-79. If you are modeling a vehicle from the 1991 war to liberate Kuwait, use set ATL-78.

If modeling vehicles “in-between”, or in Bosnia, check photos and match the tracks to the photo. According to Hunnicutt’s Bradley book, there should be 84 links on the left side and 82 on the right side of a Bradley, 89 on the left side and 88 on the right side of an MLRS, 84 on both sides of un-modified AAVP7s and 85 per side on the modified AAVP7 with return roller. Hunnicutt gives no “T” numbers for the different track types.
Each set also contains a pair of drive sprockets. Each is in two halves, but each contains a second inner half for each pair of sprockets. This is so the sprockets will fit either Tamiya’s Bradley and AAVP7 kits, or the DML MLRS kit. This is rather considerate of the manufacturer.

As this is the so-called “live track”, on the Bradley, MLRS, and modified AAVP7, there should be no sag, so the tracks must be mounted accordingly, which may cause some problems for the average modeler. To ease the chore, the modeler may wish to modify the kit’s idler wheel mount, in order to be able to adjust the idler to tighten the track. The earlier AAVP7s had track sag, so the modeler will have an easier time of it. But remember, this is NOT a Russian IS-3, so keep sag to a minimum!

Both sets highly recommended

Chesapeake Model Designs is the exclusive North American importer and distributor of Friulmodel products, but will ship worldwide. Note also, that the price of these sets has again dropped down to $30.00 USD as a result of currency fluctuations. Friulmodel products are available from CMD at: www.chesapeakemodels.com. New e-mail address is: bill@chesapeakemodels.com. Telephone/Fax: 410-357-5496.