Tamiya 35366 - 1:35 British Tank Destroyer M10 IIC Achilles

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the British M10 IIC Achilles tank destroyer

The Achilles was the British answer to the increasing resilience of German tanks: the American M10 tank destroyer was rearmed with the 17-pounder, one of the most effective Allied anti-tank guns, capable of penetrating the frontal armour of a Tiger I. Around a thousand vehicles were converted.

Tamiya 35366 is a 2019 release, produced as a partly new tooling based on the M10 kit (35350). The model reproduces the distinctive long barrel with its muzzle brake and the counterweight at the rear of the turret, as well as the interior of the open-topped fighting compartment, with ammunition racks and a multi-part gun breech. Three full figures and a driver bust allow the crew to be shown in action.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret, 17-pounder gun and running gear
• Detailed turret interior: ammunition racks, multi-part gun breech
• 3 full figures: gunner and loader in the fighting compartment, commander on the turret edge
• Driver bust
• Vinyl band tracks
• Waterslide decal sheet for 2 marking options: 93rd and 75th Anti-Tank Regiment
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35366
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model length: approx. 206 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (turret interior, figures)

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

Assembly:

The model builds efficiently — the vinyl band tracks shorten the work on the running gear and the hull parts fit very well. The key stage is the turret interior: as it remains fully visible from above, it is worth painting, washing and finishing the ammunition racks and the multi-part gun breech before the figures are added and the structure closed up.

British olive shades are a good choice (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab), following the scheme selected from the instructions, which include the manufacturer's paint codes. The fighting compartment looks best with lightened surfaces and detail picked out with a wash, and the figures respond well to light dry-brushing that emphasises the folds of their uniforms. Applying the decals over a gloss coat helps avoid silvering, and a matt varnish makes a suitable final finish.

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)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes, including fine ones for the figures and interior
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Gloss varnish for decals and matt varnish for the final finish
• Wash to bring out detail
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – M10 IIC Achilles:

The British, who received M10 tank destroyers from the United States, soon concluded that its 76.2 mm gun was not enough against the latest German designs. The solution was to rearm the vehicles with the 17-pounder — a gun of the same 76.2 mm calibre but with a far higher muzzle velocity, capable of penetrating the frontal armour of a Tiger I.

The conversion required changes to the turret: a longer barrel with a muzzle brake was fitted and a counterweight was added at the rear of the turret to balance the heavier gun. The result was the Achilles — a vehicle that retained the M10 silhouette but offered considerably greater firepower. Around a thousand vehicles were converted.

Achilles vehicles served with British and Canadian anti-tank regiments, fighting in Normandy and in the subsequent campaigns in Western Europe. The open-topped turret gave the five-man crew excellent visibility but no protection from shell splinters, so the vehicles operated mainly from prepared positions and under cover.

Original vehicle specifications (M10 IIC Achilles):

• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 17-pounder (76.2 mm) gun
• Base vehicle: American M10 tank destroyer
• Turret: rotating, open-topped, with a counterweight at the rear
• Effectiveness: able to penetrate the frontal armour of a Tiger I
• Conversions: approx. 1,000 vehicles
• Service: British and Canadian anti-tank regiments in Western Europe

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.