Dear Madbadger,
Tamiya's KT has the same exact problem as the real KT.
Due to the stock track is plastic and open pin design, the links will give when a hard/quick pivot turn is performed many times.
And when the tracks are replaced with any brand of metal tracks, the next thing to break down will be the stock Tamiya gearboxes.
We see that in all Tamiya KT in our tank club.
Thank you for the kind praises you put in for IMPACT's products.
This is a hobby, but.....it is equally important to make sure that we do not make our wives "over unhappy" on the money spent.
We always advised Customers not to change any parts if they will not break or change only after they broke.
If you were happy with IMPACT Early KT tracks, then we are happy. There is no real need to change to the Late KT Tracks.
There are 4 distinct characteristics to tell an IMPACT tracks:
1. The surface is realistically rough, just like a real cast metal. The color is dull metallic gray.
2. Comes with MLR pins. IMPACT MLR pins are at version 4 now. You can see some of our earlier MLR pins. Version 4 is
not publicly shown in the picture for marketing reason. I believed your KT has version 4, which is a "corked head MLR pin"
MLR version 3 was phasing out and replaced slowly by version 4 since July 2007.
3. All tracks links' pin end is encapped. Meaning that the MLR pins' end is covered up with the encapped casting in the link, just like the real thing. This is a unique feature with IMPACT's tracks, no other brand had done it yet, but it is not difficult to do it.
Except for early KT, T66 and T84.
4. IMPACT zinc alloy is a special formulated compound. You can tell the difference if you had another "zinc alloy tracks" in your hands to compare.
Tamiya 1/16 tanks are a great hobby thing. Not only the quality is good, the electronics system is the best in market. The IR battle system is also the leader in the market.
Remember, running your KT around your backyard is only 10% of the fun. Form up a club, with more than 5 people (the more the better), and organized a battle game. That is full extension of Tamiya's 1/16 tank performance to the maximum.
This was the IR tank battle competition, hosted by Stargek (Tamiya Exclusive Distributor for Singapore, Malaysia and Indoesia) in Singapore on 20th Dec 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iuv_a-Sp1nc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es5NsCss3iw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvAGZJxRFU4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itjJNWDIoWI
(Panther is IMPACT's tank)
IMPACT(S) International
Have an
IMPACT in your tanks
i cant believe how well they are made!!!! the castings are beautiful, all the track pins are made so they wont work themselves out, and weigh a ton LOL.....cost me £104 including postage from Welsh Dragon Models. This guy is tops, has plenty of gear and reasonable prices. He did me a offer on my Impact gearbox.....and one on the tracks (until end of January) 
