|
Academy Kit Number 1395 1/35 M36 Jackson GMC U.S. Tank Destroyer |
|
|
Reviewed By John Bonanni, #13440 |
|
|
|
|
|
MSRP - $45.00 US One of the newest releases from Academy is the M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer. The kit includes 625 highly detailed parts molded in dark green plastic, a small decal sheet, a set of rubber tracks, and a length of white string for a towing cable. The kit contains roughly 15% newly molded parts. The rest of the parts are from the already produced M10/Achilles kits. There are only a few noticeable injection pin marks in the entire model. The lower hull allows you many options. There are two transmission covers included (a Type 2B and a Type 2D). Each is highly textured and detailed with foundry numbers. The kit uses a VVSS suspension system from previous models. It also includes three different types of road wheels. A full set of open spoke and solid spoke wheels, idlers, and sprockets are provided. They also give you four dished road wheels. A new M4A3 rear hull plate is provided in the kit, and a M4A2 hull plate is also included if you wish to model a M36B2. The interior is quite complete. Everything is provided, including transmission, driver’s seat, gunner’s seat, radio, ammunition racks, steering controls, instrument panel, foot pedals, a rear bulkhead with a fire extinguisher, and oil cooler radiators. |
|
|
|
|
|
The upper hull is molded in one piece, allowing for plenty of options. For the upper rear deck, you can either choose a M4A3 plate or a M4A2 plate. There is also a choice for the front glacis plate. One is a plain plate for WWII versions and one is provided for post war vehicles with a .30 cal machine gun mount. The rear hull plate has two options: one with no pioneer tool outlines and one with outlines allowing for an easy way to fix the tools to the hull. The M36 turret is completely new and is molded in two halves. There are some bad injection pin marks on the lower turret half. They are located on the turret ring in between bolts, and are very hard to correct. This is one of the few problems I found in the kit concerning construction. The upper part of the turret is nicely molded with highly detailed weld seams, tie downs, and bolts. There is a small mold seam along the upper surface of the turret that must be removed. The gun mantlet is very nicely molded with texture. The kit provides three barrel variations. There are two WWII versions: one is a double baffle muzzle brake and the other variant is one without the muzzle brake with only the thread protector. The third is a post war M3A1 with a single baffle muzzle brake with a bore extractor. There is also a beautiful turret interior consisting of: a breach, breach block, ammunition racks, fire extinguisher, gun sight, traversing mechanisms, and other accessories. The tracks are molded in one piece rubber "bands". The stile is of T51 rubber block tracks. The decal sheet is very nice consisting of markings for four vehicles. Two vehicles are from WWII: one in Germany 1945 and the other France 1944. There are also markings for a Korean 1953 vehicle and a Tonkin Indochina 1953 vehicle. Academy now is setting the standard for injection molded kits. I am very pleased with the quality of this kit. The instructions were very easy to follow and can’t wait to see what they come out with next. It is a must for all allied vehicle builders. Lastly, I would like to thank Academy and John Noack for this great review sample. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®. |
|
)
)
)
)
)