M10/M36 Tank Destroyer - Project CLOSED!

[Rubicon Models]

Will we be able to build the late M10 without the 17pdr?  Or is the parts count too high?

Yes, the guns are interchangeable between the two turrets without additional parts count... giving you all 4 combinations!

[Pinky]

That's great.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Achilles had a modified mantlet, so strictly speaking you'd need alternate versions for the late M10 and the Achilles.

[Rubicon Models]

Will we be able to build the late M10 without the 17pdr?  Or is the parts count too high?

Yes, the guns are interchangeable between the two turrets without additional parts count... giving you all 4 combinations!

Just got the plastic test shots from the factory.  As it turned out, you can only select two builds instead of all four... due to sprue space!  Sorry!! 

[Rubicon Models]

Not in a particular order as we have not yet labelled the sprues...  Here is our Test Shot #1 sprues for our planned Q4/15 release - M10 / M36 Tank Destroyer!








Enjoy!

[Pinky]

I've been waiting for this one.  I'm planning to build at least 3 of these kits.

So the variants are the M10 (mid-production), Achilles and M36?  If so, that seems fine - you've already packed a lot onto those sprues...

[Rubicon Models]

So the variants are the M10 (mid-production), Achilles and M36?  If so, that seems fine - you've already packed a lot onto those sprues...

From memory, here is what the sprues can built:

(1) M10 (mid/late production) - enlarged turret with duckbill shaped counterweight (including M10A1s)
(2) Achilles IIc - 17pdr conversion utilising the late M10 turret with a different shaped counterweight
(3) M36 - converted from M10A1s
(4) M36B1 - the M36 turret is designed to fit onto our M4A3 kit
(5) M36B2 - M36 using M10 hull

Now doing test fitting... once done, will paint some up for posting!

[Pinky]

I think there is still some confusion about M10 versions (the late M10 and the Achilles had the same enlarged turret and duckbill counterweights), but you seem to have all the pieces, so let's see what the test builds look like.  The casting looks great, although the dark plastic makes it hard to work out what everything is.

[Rubicon Models]

I think there is still some confusion about M10 versions (the late M10 and the Achilles had the same enlarged turret and duckbill counterweights)

Here is a line drawing (all from web search) comparison between the M10 / Achilles / M36B2 using the M10 chassis.



Quick look at the turret between the M10 and Achilles are similar, but close inspection will reveal a lot of differences particularly the rear end of the turret.  This is more significant when we started drawing both turrets, the rear sloping angle is different (hidden behind the counterweights).

[Pinky]

Yep, those drawings look fine.  The point is that the Achilles did not have a special turret; the British used the late M10 turret (with the revised rear and duckbill counterweights), which they fitted with a 17-pdr.  This mean revising the mantlet (by adding an armoured collar and changing the sight) and modifying the internal stowage a bit.  Meanwhile, the US Army used the same late turret on its unmodified late M10s - see the example below.

[Rubicon Models]

Yep, those drawings look fine.  The point is that the Achilles did not have a special turret; the British used the late M10 turret (with the revised rear and duckbill counterweights), which they fitted with a 17-pdr.  This mean revising the mantlet (by adding an armoured collar and changing the sight) and modifying the internal stowage a bit.  Meanwhile, the US Army used the same late turret on its unmodified late M10s - see the example below.

This is true for late production models; however we have included an early/mid production version of the M10 turret to broaden the build choice.

[Pinky]

Okay, it was more an issue of how it's presented - the kit itself looks great, and it's cool that you've included the earlier turret as well.  Looking forward to seeing the test build.

[Rubicon Models]

A primed test sprues for the M10/M36 kit.  Should have better details shown...








Close up view of the three mantlets, front transmissions, and rear tail section:




We are still making minor changes to the parts on the sprue for better fitting and details.  Will post some test-assembled pictures of the tank soon!

[Rubicon Models]

We are now painting up the test shot plastic after test-fitting.






Should be able to post the painted samples soon!

[Rubicon Models]

[Pinky]

That's an incredible number of variants in one kit!  You even managed to squeeze in some good interior details on the turrets.

I see you kept that odd armour panel on the Achilles.  Seems a bit pointless.

One construction point - the hatches on the M10 hull didn't open 'flat'; they opened at an angle, with the interior facing forwards.