I'm not so sure metal tracks are better in sandy conditions. There are numerous factors to consider. But if you're driving mainly on sandy or dirt surfaces....plastic may be just as well as metal...maybe even better in sandy conditions. In fact, given the plastics ability to flex a little, may mean less hang ups. Weight can always be adjusted by adding to the hull or inside it. The lighter the tank, depending on how loose the sand is may give more surface travel than digging itself in cause of the weight. Wider tracks with less holes in them for track guides may combat digging in like the KV.<div>
<div>Metal track to metal sprocket is more likely to crush sandpartialssince there really isn't going to be a lot of give (depending on the tank and set up), meaning more wear over time (and not nearly as cheap for replacement.) Again, more weight of the metal tracks may cause some digging in. Before adding metal tracks to my Pershing, the plastic tracks of the Pershing has by far, done better than any of my tanks at the beach. Could be other factors, but there was minimaldiggingin. </div></div><div></div><div>Either way, there's pro and cons of both. Plastic tracks will likely break when something wedges between the sprocket and tracks (but cheap to replace.) Metal tracks aren't immune from damage either. The pins will likely bend, warping the tracks altogether...pull out the wallet on that cause I'm willing to bet it's gonna be a quite of few bent pins. I try to minimize the amount of sand driving I do and the only reason I have driven them on the beach is strictly to see how well it does (and cause the beach is 200yds away which give me a good reason to check out the hotties. lol) WWII tanks weren't meant for sand travel, or extensive sand travel so I adhere to the same rules as a modeler.</div>