In Box Review of Academy 1/35th Scale
U.S. Tank Destroyer M36 “Jackson”
Gun Motor Carriage
Kit no. 1395
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2010
Available from Kit Linx for $38.39 or from a U.S. modeler for $25.00 or from a modeler in Europe on the web for 25 Euros ($27.55).
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2010
Available from Kit Linx for $38.39 or from a U.S. modeler for $25.00 or from a modeler in Europe on the web for 25 Euros ($27.55).
HISTORY:
The M36 tank destroyer, formally 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage, M36, was an American tank destroyer used during World War II. The M36 combined the hull of the M10 tank destroyer, which used the M4 Sherman's reliable chassis and drivetrain combined with sloped armor, and a massive new turret mounting the 90 mm gun M3. Conceived in 1943, the M36 first served in combat in Europe in October 1944, where it partially replaced the M10 tank destroyer.
It also saw use in the Korean War, where it was able to defeat any of the Soviet tanks used in that conflict. Some were supplied to South Korea as part of the Military Assistance Program and served for years, as did re-engined examples found in Yugoslavia, which operated into the 1990s.
Two remained in service with the Republic of China Army at least until 2001.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Tank destroyer
Place of origin: United States
Wars: World War II, First Indochina War, Korean War, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Iran–Iraq War, Yugoslav Wars
Designer: U.S. Army Ordnance Department
Designed: 1943
Manufacturers: General Motors, Massey-Harris, American Locomotive Company, Montreal Locomotive Works
Unit cost: U.S. $51,290 (equivalent to $744,917 in 2019) (M36)
Produced: April–August 1944, October–December 1944, May 1945
No. built: 2,324 (all models)
Mass: 63,000 lb (32 short tons; 29 t)
Length: 9 ft 7 in (5.97 m) hull, 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m) including gun
Width: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
Height: 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m) over anti-aircraft machine gun
Crew: 5 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver, assistant driver)
Armor: 0.375 to 5 in (9.5 to 127.0 mm)
Main armament: 90 mm gun M3 with 47 rounds
Secondary armament: .50 caliber (12.7 mm) Browning M2HB machine gun with 1,000 rounds
Engine: M36, M36B1:Ford GAA V8 gasoline engine of 450 hp (340 kW) at 2,600 rpm, M36B2:General Motors 6046 twin inline diesel engine of 375 hp (280 kW) 375 hp at 2,100 rpm
Power/weight: 15.2 hp (11.3 kW)/metric ton
Transmission: Synchromesh og 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Suspension: Vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS)
Fuel capacity: 192 US gallons (727 litres)
Operational range: 150 mi (240 km)
Maximum speed: 26 mph (42 km/h) on roads
The M36 tank destroyer, formally 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage, M36, was an American tank destroyer used during World War II. The M36 combined the hull of the M10 tank destroyer, which used the M4 Sherman's reliable chassis and drivetrain combined with sloped armor, and a massive new turret mounting the 90 mm gun M3. Conceived in 1943, the M36 first served in combat in Europe in October 1944, where it partially replaced the M10 tank destroyer.
It also saw use in the Korean War, where it was able to defeat any of the Soviet tanks used in that conflict. Some were supplied to South Korea as part of the Military Assistance Program and served for years, as did re-engined examples found in Yugoslavia, which operated into the 1990s.
Two remained in service with the Republic of China Army at least until 2001.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Tank destroyer
Place of origin: United States
Wars: World War II, First Indochina War, Korean War, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Iran–Iraq War, Yugoslav Wars
Designer: U.S. Army Ordnance Department
Designed: 1943
Manufacturers: General Motors, Massey-Harris, American Locomotive Company, Montreal Locomotive Works
Unit cost: U.S. $51,290 (equivalent to $744,917 in 2019) (M36)
Produced: April–August 1944, October–December 1944, May 1945
No. built: 2,324 (all models)
Mass: 63,000 lb (32 short tons; 29 t)
Length: 9 ft 7 in (5.97 m) hull, 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m) including gun
Width: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
Height: 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m) over anti-aircraft machine gun
Crew: 5 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver, assistant driver)
Armor: 0.375 to 5 in (9.5 to 127.0 mm)
Main armament: 90 mm gun M3 with 47 rounds
Secondary armament: .50 caliber (12.7 mm) Browning M2HB machine gun with 1,000 rounds
Engine: M36, M36B1:Ford GAA V8 gasoline engine of 450 hp (340 kW) at 2,600 rpm, M36B2:General Motors 6046 twin inline diesel engine of 375 hp (280 kW) 375 hp at 2,100 rpm
Power/weight: 15.2 hp (11.3 kW)/metric ton
Transmission: Synchromesh og 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Suspension: Vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS)
Fuel capacity: 192 US gallons (727 litres)
Operational range: 150 mi (240 km)
Maximum speed: 26 mph (42 km/h) on roads
THE KIT:
Academy is an old prolific model company based in South Korea. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a large shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a M-36 moving down a city street past some buildings that are on fire. A group of 7 U.S. infantrymen are walking down the sidewalk and the M-36 is being followed by a U.S. stake-sided truck.
The M-36 is overall olive-drab with a large white star on the sides of the turret and white serial no. U.S.A. over 40131661 S on the forward end of the sides of the hull.
The tank commander is looking out the top of the hatch. He wears a khaki uniform and a steel helmet.
One corner of the box art says: This kit contains one tank model. Tank crew is not included.
One side panel of the box begins with a list of features of the kit: Fully detailed interior and exterior. Includes various accessories. Movable gun elevation and suspension. Selective open or closed hatches.
This is followed by 8 color walk-around type photos of the model made up in the box art scheme.
Academy is an old prolific model company based in South Korea. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a large shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a M-36 moving down a city street past some buildings that are on fire. A group of 7 U.S. infantrymen are walking down the sidewalk and the M-36 is being followed by a U.S. stake-sided truck.
The M-36 is overall olive-drab with a large white star on the sides of the turret and white serial no. U.S.A. over 40131661 S on the forward end of the sides of the hull.
The tank commander is looking out the top of the hatch. He wears a khaki uniform and a steel helmet.
One corner of the box art says: This kit contains one tank model. Tank crew is not included.
One side panel of the box begins with a list of features of the kit: Fully detailed interior and exterior. Includes various accessories. Movable gun elevation and suspension. Selective open or closed hatches.
This is followed by 8 color walk-around type photos of the model made up in the box art scheme.
The other side panel repeats the features and 6 smaller color walk-around photos of the model made up in the box art scheme. In 10 languages, including English, that are marked with color illustrations of the flags of the countries that speak these languages, it says: Contains one unassembled model kit and easy to follow pictorial instructions. Paint and cement required to complete the model as pictured on the box. Kit suitable for ages 10 to adult. Scale 1/35th.
Academy’s web address is provided. The kit was made in South Korea and the copyright date is 2003.
Academy’s web address is provided. The kit was made in South Korea and the copyright date is 2003.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
All of the trees in this kit are also used in the Italeri brand kit of the M-10 “Achilles” and the majority of them are identical.
The kit contains 11 olive-drab parts trees, the loose hull tub, roof, turret top and base parts in 4 sealed clear cello bags. Black vinyl treads and the decal sheet.
The instructions consist of a staple-bound booklet of 16 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ½” page format.
Page one begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over a one-paragraph history of the M-36 in 4 languages, including English and the decal application instructions in 5 languages, including English.Page 2 begins with international assembly symbol explanations in 8 languages, including English.
Bottom of page 2 through to page to page 14 gives a grand total of 30 assembly steps.
Page 15 is a marking and painting guide. It shows three 3-views of M-36’s. All are overall olive-drab.
The first one is the box art scheme (already described above). It is a M-36 as it looked in Korea, June 1953. No unit is given.
The second one has the nickname “Puma” on the side of the hull. It is as it looked in “Tonkin”, Indo-China, 1953. Again no unit is given.
The third one has white serial no. U.S.A. 40191415 on the forward end of the side of the hull and a large white star at the rear end of the side of the hull. It is as it looked in Germany, March 1945. Again no unit is given.
The fourth one just has a white star on the sides of the turret. It is as it looked in France, November 1944. No unit given.
Page 16 is the parts trees illustrations, Over a paint color listing. Some parts on the trees are listed as being unused or excess, and not needed to complete the model. There is a single sheet of WARNINGS about the kit. It is printed on one side in 4” x 6” format and the text is in Chinese and English, against an all yellow background.
All of the trees in this kit are also used in the Italeri brand kit of the M-10 “Achilles” and the majority of them are identical.
The kit contains 11 olive-drab parts trees, the loose hull tub, roof, turret top and base parts in 4 sealed clear cello bags. Black vinyl treads and the decal sheet.
The instructions consist of a staple-bound booklet of 16 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ½” page format.
Page one begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over a one-paragraph history of the M-36 in 4 languages, including English and the decal application instructions in 5 languages, including English.Page 2 begins with international assembly symbol explanations in 8 languages, including English.
Bottom of page 2 through to page to page 14 gives a grand total of 30 assembly steps.
Page 15 is a marking and painting guide. It shows three 3-views of M-36’s. All are overall olive-drab.
The first one is the box art scheme (already described above). It is a M-36 as it looked in Korea, June 1953. No unit is given.
The second one has the nickname “Puma” on the side of the hull. It is as it looked in “Tonkin”, Indo-China, 1953. Again no unit is given.
The third one has white serial no. U.S.A. 40191415 on the forward end of the side of the hull and a large white star at the rear end of the side of the hull. It is as it looked in Germany, March 1945. Again no unit is given.
The fourth one just has a white star on the sides of the turret. It is as it looked in France, November 1944. No unit given.
Page 16 is the parts trees illustrations, Over a paint color listing. Some parts on the trees are listed as being unused or excess, and not needed to complete the model. There is a single sheet of WARNINGS about the kit. It is printed on one side in 4” x 6” format and the text is in Chinese and English, against an all yellow background.
Trees are alphabetized.
There are 2 identical olive-drab letter A trees. They hold: road wheels, idler wheels, drive sprockets, bogies etc. (55 parts each) 10 parts are excess.
There are 2 identical olive-drab letter A trees. They hold: road wheels, idler wheels, drive sprockets, bogies etc. (55 parts each) 10 parts are excess.
Olive-drab letter B tree holds: hull tub extensions, engine wall, engine parts, seats, shift levers, foot pedals, floor, rounded hull nose, radio, .50 cal machine gun, Thompson machine gun etc. (88 parts) 7 parts are excess.
Olive-drab letter C tree holds: front fighting compartment wall, dashboard, driver’s compartment floor and rear wall, hatch doors etc. (92 parts) 17 parts are excess.
Olive-drab letter D tree holds: tools, machine guns etc. (49 parts) 14 are excess.
Lettering jumps to the olive-drab G tree. It holds: turret ring and sides etc. (5 parts) 2 parts are excess.
Olive-drab letter J tree is co-joined to the letter G tree. It holds 44 tiny circles.
There are no letter K or L trees.
Olive-drab letter J tree is co-joined to the letter G tree. It holds 44 tiny circles.
There are no letter K or L trees.
Olive-drab letter H tree holds: spare track links, jerry cans etc. (84 parts) 8 parts are excess.
There is no letter I tree.
There is no letter I tree.
Olive-drab letter M tree holds 90mm ammo storage tubes (64 parts)
There is no letter N tree.
There is no letter N tree.
Olive-drab letter O tree holds: mantle, engine air intake grills, main gun barrel etc. (47 parts) 2 parts are excess.
Olive-drab letter P tree holds: hull front & rear walls etc. (53 parts)
The upper and lower turret halves are next.
The upper and lower hull parts.
The one piece vinyl tracks are next.
The decals complete the kit contents.
The kit 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 90mm main gun, secondary armament, and turret stowage.
The suspension and road wheels are very nicely executed.
This kit has an engine compartment included.
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).
I have added a set of my company’s (Armor Research) 90mm cast metal ammo and storage tubes to the kit.
The turret is also beautifully detailed with the 90mm main gun, secondary armament, and turret stowage.
The suspension and road wheels are very nicely executed.
This kit has an engine compartment included.
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).
I have added a set of my company’s (Armor Research) 90mm cast metal ammo and storage tubes to the kit.
Numerous other details are also provided including canteens, lanterns, and a complete set of pioneering tools. 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 U.S. WW2 examples, one US Korean war example, and one French Indochina example.
There are no clear parts or figures included.
Highly recommended.
Markings are provided for two U.S. WW2 examples, one US Korean war example, and one French Indochina example.
There are no clear parts or figures included.
Highly recommended.