Hobby Master 1:72 Ground Power Series HG3408
M10 Wolverine Diecast Model
US Army, "DuckBill", 1945 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| M10 Wolverine | | 3.75" | | 1.75" |
In WWII the U.S. Army philosophy was to use tanks for infantry support. When it came to taking on German tanks they wanted to leave that up to the Tank Destroyers that were designed specifically for that purpose. Thanks to combat in North Africa they found that the M3 half track used as TDs and equipped with the standard U.S. short barrel 36 caliber 75 mm cannon just wasn't up to the task. Another realization was the half tracks weren't mobile enough and lacked adequate armor compared to the German tanks.Since the M4A2 Sherman was already in production the lower chassis and power plant were adapted to create the new TD. The new machine had a newly designed upper hull with a low profile. The vehicle still had relatively light armor but was angled to cause a greater chance of shot deflection. The military also depended on vehicles maneuverability and speed for defense. The crew was open to the elements because there was no top on the turret. The new vehicle was named the M10 and armed with a new powerful 50 caliber 76 mm cannon that fired armor piercing ammunition. The cannon was capable of penetrating 88 mm of armor at 1,000 meters which meant that almost any German tank could be destroyed. Because of the size and weight of the cannon a large counter-weight was mounted on the rear of the turret. Because of its tapered shape and viewed from the side the counter-weight looked similar to a duck's bill so the M10 was given the nick name "Duck Bill". The prototype of the M10 was the T35 and first appeared in November 1941 and went into immediate production. The M10 remained on the front line right to the end of WWII.
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.
