1/35 Allied tank Destroyers

[zak]

Often called the above, also Tank Hunter, Tank Killer, usually an AFV for antitank duties.
Usually based on existing tracked vehicles, but may also be wheeled. Often with no turret or an open turret, A low silhoutte was desirable.
The U. S seemed to like a ?shoot and scoot? doctrine. The motto (Seek, Strike and Destroy) was used by the Tank Destroyers.

M6 Gun Motor Carriage
This was the first U.S. Tank Destroyer of the war
Modified Dodge 3/4 ton, WC52 truck with rear facing 37mm M3 gun mounted on the bed, designated WC-55.
The M6 was at a disadvantage as the gun had to be fired when facing to the rear. It was not really suited to more modern warfare and was soon replaced. The gun was fairly small calibre and could not deal with the more heavily armoured tanks. No armour, so the crew of 4 had little protection.
They had small arms for their own protection. Eighty rounds of the 37mm ammunition could be carried.

[zak]

The model I have is from Italeri in 1:35 scale.
This must be an older kit, it has sink holes and some flash, so lots of cleaning up was required.
Some filling as well, the fit of the parts was not great.
Construction followed the kit instructions, some difficulty was encounted fixing the body parts to the chassis and some trimming was required to get a snug fit.
In general lots of fiddling about to get the parts to sit right, Gun assembly was not too good.
One figure is supplied and I have managed to cobble together a driver from the spares box.

[zak]

Here it is painted awaiting weathering.
I did most of this before Telford.

[zak]

I would like to have done the M3 with a 75mm gun, but the only one I can find is from Dragon and the price is putting me off.

[Bigkev]

Hi Zak,
That looks great.
Are you a magician?, you seem to produce kits like pulling rabbits out of the hat!
Nice work
Kevin

[zak]

Shaded in the first photo.
Highlights/ dry brushing in the second.
Then some weathering with pastels and chalks.
Must remember to rust the exhaust as well.

[chriswil42]

You on steroids again Dave. Fast and good work.

[zak]

Weathered.
Just about finished.

[zak]

Have started an M10, this is basically a Sherman chassis with a turret with no top.
This had a M4A2 Hull with a semi-open turret and reduced armour.
It had a crew of 5, commander, loader, gunner, driver and assistant driver.
This was the most numerically the most important tank in the Second World War.
Sometimes referred to by its nickname "Wolverine".

I have the Academy version, some filling and cleaning up of parts was required, but the generally felt crisp and well moulded.

I assembled various sub assemblies and then painted them. The hull interior was undercoated and then sprayed white and the seats and other parts brush painted in the appropriate colours.
The inside was masked and all parts then undercoated. Once dry several coats of Olive Drab were sprayed on ? this is my own mix of Tamiya 62, the odd green and so on with a small amount of gloss varnish added.

[zak]

On with the colour, another coat still needed.

[zak]

Here is the interior, not much visible one the top is on though!

[chriswil42]

Good detail there Dave. I guess at the rate you're building this will be ready for the next meeting?

[zak]

Good detail there Dave. I guess at the rate you're building this will be ready for the next meeting?

I'm not sure, there may be a diorama as well. I can't decide.

[cph64]

You're really cracking on with these. Not much happening down the allotment then?

[zak]

You're really cracking on with these. Not much happening down the allotment then?

Well I spent the morning walking along Filey sea front and then the town, this afternoon down the Paddy Field - alias the allotment.