OKB Grigorov

Ostketten (East Track) for Pz. III and Pz IV

Ostketten were used from 1943 to the war’s end on the Eastern Front to reduce the ground pressure and increase traction in mud and snow. Looking at the outside face they look a lot like Panzer V Panther track, however there is only one set of track teeth on the inner face, not two as on a Panther track.

This set has four lengths of 10 cm each for a total of 40 cm, cast in gray resin on pour plugs. Quality of casting and detail appears superb. The track comes in right and left sides to ensure the track is oriented correctly.
For reference, I measured the length of a band-track for a variety of 1/72-scale Pz IV, Sturmgeschütz and Pz III kits, so we’ll know about how much aftermarket replacement track we will need. Based on this, each aftermarket track set for these vehicles should supply at minimum 34 cm of track.

• ESCI Pz IV, Jagdpanzer IV, Wirbelwind, Brummbär 17 cm per side,
• Zvezda Pz IV 16 cm,
• Hasegawa Pz IV, Jagdpanzer IV & Munitionspanzer 17 cm,
• Mirage Pz IV 17 cm,
• Trumpeter Jagdpanzer IV, Brummbär 16 cm,
• Dragon Pz IV, Jagdpanzer IV, Brummbär 16.5 cm,
• Trumpeter StuG III 15 cm,
• ESCI StuG III, Pz III 15.5 cm
• Dragon Pz III, StuG III 15 cm

The track color is brown in this photo but is actually gray due to my camera, changing it without my prior approval!
After cutting from the pour plug and washing in mild detergent, the resin track lengths can be immersed in hot water and carefully and promptly wrapped around the sprocket, roadwheels, and idler wheels. Some track sag between the return rollers would be appropriate. Glue with Cyanoacrylate (Super) glue or Five-Minute epoxy.

This track accessory was purchased by the modeler.

Article Last Updated: 06 May 2020