1/35 SCALE U.S. TANK DESTROYER M36

Length: 216 mm. Image shows painted and assembled kit.

As U.S. forces encountered the rapidly evolving armor of their German opponents, it became clear the the M10 tank destroyer and its 76.2mm gun were insufficient and in need of replacement. Their solution was to install the more powerful 90mm gun onto the M10A1 chassis in an open top turret: the M36, which first appeared in June 1944. Its first live action was in fighting on the French-German border that October, but if faced more concerted fighting as the German forces launched a desperate counter-attack in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Over a thousand M36 vehicles had been manufactured by the time of the German surrender in May 1945, and after the end of hostilities many were given to allies such as France, which used it in the First Indochina War. It is even said to have been used in the Japanese development of their first domestic post-war tank: the Type 61.

About the Model
This is a 1/35 scale plastic model assembly kit. Length: 216mm, width: 88mm. ★Tamiya designers based this product's design on extensive studies of the full-size M36. ★The turret interior has realistic depictions of details such as the 90mm gun breech and sights, shell racks, crew seating and more. ★A slide molded recreation of the bulging turret rear counterweight accurately captures the curved design and gives a fuss-free assembly process. ★Bulkheads and sponson-top shell racks show great detail. ★Assembly type tracks have one-piece straight sections. ★Comes with a figure posed with a shouldered "grease gun." ★Includes a painting guide and two marking options.

The M36 and its open-top turret with 90mm gun are depicted with aplomb.
The rear deflector is made up of 4 parts, giving the model great three-dimensionality. Tools and the travel lock add extra detail to the rear.
Assembly type tracks use single-piece upper runs. Separate parts for brackets and arms give the vertical volute spring suspension a crisp finish.
Plastic tow cables really look the part and are easier to paint and affix. The differential cover has its pocked cast metal surface recreated.

The one-piece counterweight is a slide-molded part for fuss-free assembly without sacrificing detail. The M2 machine gun displays sharp molding.
A close-up on the shell racks inside the counterweight. Canvas covers are depicted open, with fine recreations of zippers.
The 90mm gun mount, recoil guard and more are recreated. Auxiliary equipment like the panoramic sight are also recreated.
The fire extinguisher adds a dash of color to the vehicle.

The turret interior has recreations of the floor grip patterns, bulkhead and shell cases.
Turret-side accessories like bags and sheets make for even more realism, as do hull-side track links and grousers.
Shells, casings and M2 ammo boxes are provided for an extra level of detail. Stencil markings are decals.
The figure holds an M3 on his shoulder, surveying the scene.