Hobby Master 1:72 Ground Power Series HG3402
M10 Achilles Diecast Model
British Army 21st Anti-Tank Rgt, Netherlands, 1944 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| M10 Achilles | | 3.75" | | 1.75" |
In 1943 the US introduced the M10 as a SP anti-tank gun. It used the carriage of the M4 tank and combined it with the 3-inch M7 AA Gun mounted on an open top turret. Because of the weight of the gun a counter-weight had to be installed on the rear of the turret. The British took their M10's and exchanged the 3-inch gun for the larger 17-pdr that had much better stopping power against the Panther and Tigers. They added some armor to the turret and named it Achilles. The first modified tanks went into service in 1944 and by the end of WWII 1,100 of the 1,650 M10s the British received under the Lend Lease Program became Achilles'. The Guards Armoured Division was formed June 17, 1941. After almost three years of training and waiting for action they were deployed to Normandy and arrived June 26, 1944. The first real test under fire came during Operation Goodwood. From July 18 – 20, 1944 they fought as part of the largest tank battle the British had ever fought. After finally breaking out the 21st became part of the Falaise Pocket and eventually the liberation of Brussels. As part of Operation Market Garden in September 1944 along with American paratroopers they fought to capture the Waal bridge at Nijmegen. This bridge was one of several the Allies would use to cross the Rhine and advance rapidly into Germany. The next bridge in the string of bridges to be captured was Remagen however the reinforcements for the troops trying to capture the were delayed and this bridge wasn't taken. Because of the Allied failure to capture the Remagen bridge it meant that the northern section of the Netherlands would not be liberated before winter. This winter would go into the history books as the "Hongerwinter" (Hungerwinter") when ten of thousands would starve to death because of the lack of food and the Germans preventing supplies from reaching them. The division existed until June 12, 1945 when it was reorganized as an infantry division.
Designed to fulfill a new combined-arms doctrine that emphasized the need for infantry support and exploitation, the M10 tank destroyer first entered service in Tunisia in 1943. Called "Wolverine" by the British (a name that was never adopted by US soldiers), the M10 was lightly armored and therefore more maneuverable than a typical tank. Its powerful 3" M7 gun fired armor-piercing M79 shot, which made it an effective weapon against enemy tanks. Upon its debut it was capable of destroying most German tanks, but by 1944 the newer German Tiger and Panther proved too formidable for it, though it remained in service through the end of the war. © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Hobby Master's 1:72 scale M-10 Wolverine is constructed almost entirely from plastic, with the exception of the diecast metal bottom hull, which gives this model its characteristic weight. The opened top turret reveals a pivoting metal cannon and breech, six ammo rounds with bronze casings, three crew seats and a 50 cal machine gun with attached ammo can. When the turret is removed completely, additional details such as forward driver seats, additional ammo and diamond plated deck can be seen. The hull features shielded headlights and taillights, hand-painted battlefield equipment such as shovels, hatchets and hammers, and a beautifully recreated vertical volute spring suspension system.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Hobby Master "1:72 Ground Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military vehicles.
Hobby Master "1:72 Ground Power Series" diecast vehicles feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Rotating turret, elevating cannon and accurate hull.
- Painted, fitted, non-moving tracks on detailed non-rotating wheels.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Clear acrylic display case to protect model.
© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
