In Box Review of Testors/Italeri 1/35th Scale
M36B-1 U.S. Tank Destroyer
Kit no,. 794
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
HISTORY:
The M36B-1 Tank Destroyer was part of the important M36 series of armored vehicles that saw extensive service during WWII. Preceeded by the M10A-1 series tanks with 76 mm guns, M36 tanks were equipped with more powerful 90 mm guns. A M10 production began to wind down. Some of the remaining M10's scheduled for completetion were built with the bigger gun. About 300 were manufactured as M36's with the 90 mm guns - 200 more 76 mm M10A-1's were retrofitted. These conversions form M10s to M36s took place between April and August 1944.
Soon after the Normandy invasion, it became obvious that as many as 900 more M36s would be required in order to fulfill the need quickly. An interim design was approved using the 90 mm M36 turret and a late-production M4A3 Sherman chassis.
This new variant - designated M36B-1 - was characterized by rearranged internal stowage and ammunition racks, a new travel lock positioned at thje rear of the engine deck and a new base on the glacis plate for the radio aerial. In all, 187 M36B-1 Tank Destroyers were manufactured by the Grand Blanc Tank Arsenal, a division of GMC, between October and December 1944. Most of these tanks were sent to Europe.
Italeri is an older prolific model company based in Italy. They make all manner of model subjects in the popular scales. Testors was their U.S. importer at one time,
The M36B-1 Tank Destroyer was part of the important M36 series of armored vehicles that saw extensive service during WWII. Preceeded by the M10A-1 series tanks with 76 mm guns, M36 tanks were equipped with more powerful 90 mm guns. A M10 production began to wind down. Some of the remaining M10's scheduled for completetion were built with the bigger gun. About 300 were manufactured as M36's with the 90 mm guns - 200 more 76 mm M10A-1's were retrofitted. These conversions form M10s to M36s took place between April and August 1944.
Soon after the Normandy invasion, it became obvious that as many as 900 more M36s would be required in order to fulfill the need quickly. An interim design was approved using the 90 mm M36 turret and a late-production M4A3 Sherman chassis.
This new variant - designated M36B-1 - was characterized by rearranged internal stowage and ammunition racks, a new travel lock positioned at thje rear of the engine deck and a new base on the glacis plate for the radio aerial. In all, 187 M36B-1 Tank Destroyers were manufactured by the Grand Blanc Tank Arsenal, a division of GMC, between October and December 1944. Most of these tanks were sent to Europe.
Italeri is an older prolific model company based in Italy. They make all manner of model subjects in the popular scales. Testors was their U.S. importer at one time,
THE KIT:
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped end opening type box that has a slide out tray inside. I am no fan of end opening boxes. Invariably, parts and particularly the decal sheet find their way past the end flaps to become lost in my shag rug - where the plastic eating monster lives. However, Testor's tray cures this problem. Good job Testors !
The box art shows a color photo of the M36B-1 built up and posed against a all-white background next to some paint bottles, a hobby knife and a paint brush.
The tank is in overall olive-drab with just a white star on the sides of the hull.
The bottom of the box has 9 color walk-around type photos of the tank made up in the box art scheme. The build of this model is credited to Mark Dickenson. The copyright date is shown as 1990 and Testors is listed as being based in Rockford, IL.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped end opening type box that has a slide out tray inside. I am no fan of end opening boxes. Invariably, parts and particularly the decal sheet find their way past the end flaps to become lost in my shag rug - where the plastic eating monster lives. However, Testor's tray cures this problem. Good job Testors !
The box art shows a color photo of the M36B-1 built up and posed against a all-white background next to some paint bottles, a hobby knife and a paint brush.
The tank is in overall olive-drab with just a white star on the sides of the hull.
The bottom of the box has 9 color walk-around type photos of the tank made up in the box art scheme. The build of this model is credited to Mark Dickenson. The copyright date is shown as 1990 and Testors is listed as being based in Rockford, IL.
Kit features listed are: "Nearly 200 highly-detailed injection molded plastic parts will allow you to build an exact 1/35th scale model of the M36B-1 Tank Destroyer. The simulated welded hull, gas can, crew hatches and tow cable are included. The turret rotates and the 90 mm gun elevates in its mount. A 50 caliber machine gun also rotates and elevates in its mount. The chassis is complete with working suspension, bogie wheels and track drive sprockets revolve giving movement to the treads. Lights, mirrors and radio antenna add to the realism. Authentic decals are included and an easy-to-follow instruction manual includes tips on weathering and other fine detailing techniques."
One side panel has the history of the tank, followed by a color side profile of the model made up in the box art scheme.
The other side panel has a list of Testors products followed by the same side profile again.
One side panel has the history of the tank, followed by a color side profile of the model made up in the box art scheme.
The other side panel has a list of Testors products followed by the same side profile again.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
The slide out tray holds 3 very dark olive-drab parts trees and a black vinyl tree in a sealed cello bag. This tray is blousy, with a letter L void around the parts.
The small decal sheet and the instructions complete the kit's contents.
The slide out tray holds 3 very dark olive-drab parts trees and a black vinyl tree in a sealed cello bag. This tray is blousy, with a letter L void around the parts.
The small decal sheet and the instructions complete the kit's contents.
The instructions consist of a staple-bound booklet of 12 pages in 8 1/2" x 11" page format.
These 12 pages are in a full-color sleeve that is a catalog of Testors kits and paints. Color swatches of all their paints is on the back of this sleeve cover.
Page 1 begins with a black and white profile photo of the model made up, followed by the history of the tank, BEFORE STARTING, PREPERATION OF PARTS, SPRAY PAINTING and DETAIL PAINTING instructions in English.
Page 2 has the parts trees illustrations. Some parts are shown both shaded and X'd out. Indicating they are excess and not needed to complete the kit.
Page 3 to the top of page 10 give a grand total of 12 assembly steps.
There is extensive text in each assembly, that walks you through the assembly step by step. Good move Testors !
In assembly 3, there is a black and white photo of a M36B-1, head-on, moving down a city street.
Page 10 mentions a Public TV show named Adventures in Scale Modeling that was on at one time.
Page 11 has a 4-view of the ONLY scheme offered in this kit. It is the box art scheme, but this illustrations shows further that it had a black square with a yellow diagonal stripe over a dot on it and a serial number in white of 85218 on the bow and stern of the tank.
This Tank Destroyer was from Company H, 3rd Battalionm, 1st Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Europe 1944-45.
Page 12 has a long instruction for weathering hints.
Very dark olive-drab letter A parts tree holds: the hull top, tow cable, machine guns, tools, jerry can, hatches etc. (88 parts) 21 are marked as being excess in the parts trees illustrations.
These 12 pages are in a full-color sleeve that is a catalog of Testors kits and paints. Color swatches of all their paints is on the back of this sleeve cover.
Page 1 begins with a black and white profile photo of the model made up, followed by the history of the tank, BEFORE STARTING, PREPERATION OF PARTS, SPRAY PAINTING and DETAIL PAINTING instructions in English.
Page 2 has the parts trees illustrations. Some parts are shown both shaded and X'd out. Indicating they are excess and not needed to complete the kit.
Page 3 to the top of page 10 give a grand total of 12 assembly steps.
There is extensive text in each assembly, that walks you through the assembly step by step. Good move Testors !
In assembly 3, there is a black and white photo of a M36B-1, head-on, moving down a city street.
Page 10 mentions a Public TV show named Adventures in Scale Modeling that was on at one time.
Page 11 has a 4-view of the ONLY scheme offered in this kit. It is the box art scheme, but this illustrations shows further that it had a black square with a yellow diagonal stripe over a dot on it and a serial number in white of 85218 on the bow and stern of the tank.
This Tank Destroyer was from Company H, 3rd Battalionm, 1st Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Europe 1944-45.
Page 12 has a long instruction for weathering hints.
Very dark olive-drab letter A parts tree holds: the hull top, tow cable, machine guns, tools, jerry can, hatches etc. (88 parts) 21 are marked as being excess in the parts trees illustrations.
Very dark olive-drab letter B parts tree holds: the hull tub, bogies, final transfer covers, road wheels, drive sprockets, return rollers, idler wheels etc. (71 parts) 4 are excess
Very dark olive-drab letter C parts tree holds: turret parts, the main gun, air intake grill, machine gun, rear hull wall etc. (48 parts)
The black vinyl treads are next. This tree holds 2 long runs.
These are the old type that have to be heat-riveted into loops. Not the newer glueable type.
These are the old type that have to be heat-riveted into loops. Not the newer glueable type.
There are no clear parts in the kit (even though the box mentions that there are) and no crew figures.
With open-topped turret a crewman for in there and more schemes than just the lone one provided would have been better.
With open-topped turret a crewman for in there and more schemes than just the lone one provided would have been better.
Otherwise highly recommended. I bought my kit at my local hobby shop over 40 years ago.