Messages

1696

Work In Progress / Re: Proposed Project: US Tank Destroyer

« on: December 23, 2014, 11:12:51 pm »

The turret with "duckbill' counterweights was produced from June 1943, and about 3,200 were built.  This version didn't have a separate designation.  Below are a couple of photos of them in US service from Hunnicutt's book on the Sherman - they became quite common.  The Achilles was based on this variant.  The British converted a few of the initial M10 variant into Achilles (Achilles IC), but these don't seem to have seen active service.

I've checked, and it seems that all of the M10A1s built were initially retained in the US, then they were converted into M36s.  As you say, the US Army favoured the M4A3 variant of the M4.

1697

Wish Lists / Re: German Tanks

« on: December 23, 2014, 12:30:03 pm »

I like the SdKfz 222 as well, but its importance declined as the war went on because its off-road performance was poor.  They were pretty rare by the middle of the war.  I suspect a kit of some of the 8-wheeler variants would be more useful and more popular. 

1698

Work In Progress / Re: Proposed Project: US Tank Destroyer

« on: December 23, 2014, 12:24:38 pm »

The M10 turret was changed because the initial version was unbalanced and unsatisfactory.  To be clear, the later version of the turret saw service with the US Army as well; it was not designed specifically for the Achilles. 

My sources are contradictory on whether the British actually fielded the M10A1 version of the Achilles; I suspect they didn't.  As you say, the M10 and M10A1 are hard to tell apart in photos.

I hope Rubicon can start including crew figures in the near future.  I notice Warlord have started doing this.  Of course, ideally Rubicon's figures would be better than Warlord's (it's a shame they can't get the Perrys to do them!), but I'm sure it's not easy finding sculptors.

1699

Work In Progress / Re: Proposed Project: US Tank Destroyer

« on: December 22, 2014, 09:35:43 pm »

The M 10 used the same drive train as a Sherman but had a different body . If the lower body , wheels and track were on one spure it could be used on various M4 type vehicles . The M 18 Hellcat and M 24 Chaffee  were built by different companies , Buick and Cadillac / Massey-Harris and although they look the same the Chaffee is about 3 feet shorter and had different width tracks . So not really a good 2 in 1 kit . The M 10 on the other hand was used by the US , Brits , Canadians , Poles , Free French and Russians , as well as the Commonwealth forces getting the up gunned Achilles version . The Achilles version had a different style turret with a longer set of rear counter weights (duck bill shaped ) to off set the heavier gun.

Not quite - most Achilles were modifications of the later production version of the M10 with a revised turret and "duckbill" counterweights (when re-armed with the 17pdr they were designated Achilles IIC).  Fitting the 17pdr did not require any external changes to the turret, but the gun itself was fitted with counterweights, and the internal stowage arrangements (and, obviously, gun mount) were different.  So, an M10/Achilles kit would presumably be based on the later version of the M10.  Note that the late version lacked the bolts on the hull side.     

But you've otherwise listed a lot of reasons why the M10/Achilles would be a great kit.  Which is why I voted for it earlier.

1700

Work In Progress / Re: 1/56 (28mm) Modular Buildings

« on: December 15, 2014, 11:22:35 pm »

Guys - I think Rubicon has to keep this as generic as possible.  Ideally, these kits need to be usable for anything from France to the Soviet Union.  I'd much rather they took some broadly 'European' themes, even if they aren't quite accurate for a particular region, than tried to replicate anything specific.

1701

Work In Progress / Re: Proposed Project: US Tank Destroyer

« on: December 09, 2014, 01:41:00 am »

I voted for the M10/Achilles.  I think that covers two important vehicles, and you also give both the British and the US players a new tank.  I suspect the open-topped turret will require more parts, so providing 2 completely different turrets might be a stretch.

1702

Showcase & Gallery / Re: Wittmans Tiger

« on: December 03, 2014, 11:53:38 pm »

Beautiful work! Can I send all my tanks to you to paint?

1703

Work In Progress / Re: Proposed Project: Churchill

« on: December 03, 2014, 12:36:35 am »

"Mr Churchill's Tank" is a good reference book. 

1704

Work In Progress / Re: Proposed Project: Churchill

« on: December 02, 2014, 12:29:03 am »

I voted for the Mk III/IV.  I think it's the most important version, and the most common in the Normandy campaign (which seems to dominate other periods amongst WW2 wargamers).  The earlier versions will be confined to the North African/Mediterranean theatre (and Dieppe), which seem to be less popular with wargamers.  I'm not sure a Churchill is the best start for the British - since Warlord already do the Cromwell, I'd rather see you do the Firefly, or a Crusader.

1705

Work In Progress / Re: Soviet Medium Tank T-34/85

« on: November 29, 2014, 06:37:18 pm »

These drawings look good.  This is shaping up to be your best kit yet.  I'll definitely buy a couple.

1706

Work In Progress / Re: Proposed Project: Tiger II

« on: November 27, 2014, 08:59:28 pm »

I think all the Porsche turret Tiger IIs had Zimmerit, so if you're going to supply both turrets it'd make sense to include Zimmerit.  Personally, I hate trying to add it myself.  I'd also suggest that there are a lot of more useful vehicles that should have priority over a Tiger II.

1707

Showcase & Gallery / Re: Sherman M4A3

« on: November 26, 2014, 09:22:32 pm »

The bustle is undercut, rather than sloped.  It looks like an mini-M47 turret.  The cupola hatch is rather odd looking.  And the mantlet is a bit off.

1708

Showcase & Gallery / Re: Sherman M4A3

« on: November 25, 2014, 11:35:34 pm »

The 75mm version has come up well - it's a good kit.  The turret for the 76mm version has some noticeable mistakes, unfortunately.  I'm still working on rectifying mine...

1709

Work In Progress / Re: Soviet Medium Tank T-34/85

« on: November 25, 2014, 11:33:23 pm »

These revisions look good.  I think the ventilators should be almost touching the cupola on the 1943 turret, but it's probably at the point where noone will be bothered if it's a couple of millimetres out.  I assume the angle of the hatches on the cupolas in these drawings isn't 'final', as they opened fore and aft (i.e. the way you had them before).

1710

Wish Lists / Re: Trucks

« on: November 25, 2014, 01:12:02 am »

Much as I'd like to see a model of something like the Morris, I think the starting point should be a GMC 2/12 ton 6x6 and an Opel Blitz.  The GMC could come with both the enclosed and soft top cab, and the Opel could come with both early and late versions of the cab.  I think these would be the most useful models to start with.