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Academy 1/35 M10 Tank Destroyer

By Michael Benolkin

Background

Originally developed as part of a mobile tank destroyer force in 1941, the M10 was composite solution to a complex problem. The US Army used a modified M4 Sherman chassis to transport a 76mm (3 inch) anti-aircraft gun in an open-top turret. The US was not the only ones to adapt an AA gun for anti-tank duties, the Germans used the 88mm AA gun against British and US armor in North Africa with devastating results.

While the concept of the tank destroyer force didn't pan out in practice, the M10 did serve well against German light armor targets. The M10's greatest problem was its limited cross-country mobility. The M10 would phase out in favor of the highly mobile M18 (with an improved 76mm gun) and the M36 (with its 90mm Panther-plinking gun).

The Kit

While the Academy kit reached the market after AFV Club's similar series, what Academy delivered is an extremely detailed kit for a very nice price! When we first saw the pre-release examples on display at the RCHTA Hobby Show last year, it was immediately apparent that this series was going to be as intricately detailed as the earlier M12 self-propelled artillery kit released last year.

The kit is molded in a forest green styrene and is provided on ten (10!) trees, not including the upper and lower hull or the tracks. The detail is finely molded and there does not appear to be any flash on any of the parts or trees. Ejector pin marks are mostly limited to areas that will not be visible when the kit is assembled, there are a couple of spots that will need attention, primarily on the inside surface of the turret.

The M10 features a very detailed driver's and radioman's compartment, inner hull stowage, and even fuel tanks that can't even be seen once the model is assembled. The turret is also beautifully detailed with the 76mm main gun, secondary armament, and turret stowage. The suspension and road wheels are very nicely executed and hint that we might be seeing a series of Sherman variants from Academy in the future.

As you can see in the accompanying photos, this model was designed for the modeler from the start - there are no holes in the lower hull for motors, switches or battery stowage. When assembled, the lower hull mates solidly with the upper hull leaving no unsightly gaps (and daylight) as was the case with the older Tamiya kits.

Options provided in this kit include two styles of drive wheels and return rollers, two different type of transmission covers, two different styles of towing loops, two different types of towing hitches, positionable driver's and radioman's hatches (complete with periscopes), and even an additional 30 caliber machine gun to augment the 50 caliber. A complete set of ammunition is provided (stored in tubes in the hull and stored at the ready in the turret).

Numerous other details are also provided including canteens, lanterns, and even a Thomson Submachine Gun. A complete set of pioneering tools are also provided. The only minor drawback that I can find in this kit involves the pioneering tools, well actually where they mount. The rear of the hull has silhouettes molded to show where to place the tools, and while this might be helpful for some, it will need to be removed with a little light sanding.

Markings are provided for two US and two French vehicles.

Conclusion

Academy is really pushing up the bar in what the modeler should expect in terms of detail and quality for the price. With more members of the extended Sherman family coming and now the soon-to-be released Stuarts, armor modelers everywhere will having some fun! This kit is highly recommended!

My sincere thanks to MRC for this review sample!