Tamiya 35350 - 1:35 US Tank Destroyer M10 Mid Production

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the US M10 Mid Production tank destroyer

The M10 is one of the most recognisable American armoured vehicles of the Second World War — a tank destroyer with sharply sloped armour plates and an open-topped turret, built on the proven Sherman chassis. Tamiya 35350 depicts the mid production version, representing vehicles from the most intense period of fighting in Western Europe.

The kit is based on new tooling from 2016. It reproduces the 76.2 mm M7 gun mounted in the characteristic wedge-shaped turret, the angular hull with its sloped plates and the running gear derived from the M4A2 Sherman chassis. The model builds in typical Tamiya fashion, with a well-planned parts breakdown and excellent fit.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret, gun and running gear
• Vinyl band tracks
• Waterslide decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35350
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model length: approx. 195 mm
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: the kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

The build goes smoothly thanks to excellent parts fit and a logical assembly sequence. The vinyl band tracks shorten the build considerably, and much of their surface remains shaded by the hull anyway. The open-topped turret is fully visible from above, so it is worth spending extra time on painting and shading its interior.

A US olive drab finish is recommended (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab), which can be varied with highlights and washes to bring out rivets, weld seams and turret details. Dust and mud effects work well with pigments applied to the lower hull and running gear. A matt varnish is a suitable final finish for a military vehicle.

Tools required:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out detail
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – US Tank Destroyer M10:

The M10, known to the British as the Wolverine, was developed to meet the US Army requirement for a fast, well-armed vehicle dedicated to destroying enemy tanks. Designers used the proven M4A2 Sherman chassis with its pair of GM diesel engines, adding a new hull with sloped armour and a rotating, open-topped turret with a 76.2 mm M7 gun.

The open turret gave the crew excellent visibility and quick access to the gun, but left them exposed to shell splinters and fire from above. American tank destroyer doctrine called for ambush tactics and rapid repositioning, a role the M10 filled well. The vehicle became the standard equipment of tank destroyer battalions in Italy, Normandy and the final campaigns in Germany.

The mid production version represents vehicles from the main production run, before the latest design changes were introduced. Experience with the M10 later led to the faster M18 Hellcat and the more heavily armed M36, while in Britain a number of M10s were rearmed with the 17-pounder gun.

Original vehicle specifications (M10):

• Length: approx. 6.83 m (including gun)
• Combat weight: approx. 29 t
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 76.2 mm M7 gun
• Secondary armament: heavy machine gun on the turret
• Powerplant: two GM diesel engines (M4A2 Sherman chassis)
• Turret: rotating, open-topped
• Role: the standard US tank destroyer in the European theatre

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company began in the timber trade and wooden products, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. Two years later came its first 1:35 scale tank — a scale that, thanks to Tamiya, became the worldwide standard for armour modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds, well-thought-out kit engineering and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, comprises hundreds of releases covering vehicles, guns and figures from around the world. Tamiya instructions are clear, richly illustrated and include paint codes from the company's own range. Alongside model kits, Tamiya offers a full range of accessories: paints, cements, putties, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.