Tamiya 35390 - 1:35 U.S. Tank Destroyer M36

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the US tank destroyer M36

The M36 Jackson answered a bitter lesson from Normandy: the 76 mm gun of the M10 tank destroyer could not penetrate the armour of Tigers and Panthers. The solution was to mount the powerful 90 mm M3 gun in a new turret with its distinctive rear counterweight. Tamiya 35390 reproduces the vehicle from tooling created in 2025.

The kit offers a detailed interior — the 90 mm gun breech in the turret plus ammunition racks and bulkheads in the hull, all visible thanks to the open turret top. The turret rear counterweight is slide-moulded and carries a cast texture. External stowage includes ammunition boxes and tow cables, and clear parts are also supplied.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret and interior fittings
• Clear parts
• Link-and-length tracks
• Ammunition boxes and tow cables
• Full tank crewman figure
• Decal sheet for two marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35390
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model length: approx. 216 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (link-and-length tracks, turret and hull interior)

Note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. This kit is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

With an open turret it makes sense to start with the interior — the gun breech, ammunition racks and bulkheads are best painted and finished before the model is closed up, as access afterwards is difficult. The rest of the build goes smoothly thanks to the excellent parts fit typical of Tamiya. The link-and-length tracks require patience but cause no trouble.

For painting we suggest US Olive Drab (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab); the instructions give Tamiya paint codes for both schemes. Applying decals over a gloss coat helps avoid silvering, and a matt varnish makes a suitable final finish. A wash brings out the cast texture of the counterweight and the interior detail, while pigments reproduce the mud of the winter fighting in the Ardennes and the Rhineland. For even crisper detail you may wish to consider a metal barrel or other accessories available separately in our shop — they are not part of the kit.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Hobby 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
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – M36 Jackson:

The Normandy campaign showed that American M10 tank destroyers were helpless against the thick armour of Tigers and Panthers. The answer was to combine the proven M10A1 chassis with a new open turret housing the powerful 90 mm M3 gun — the same weapon used in anti-aircraft artillery.

The 28-tonne vehicle was powered by a 450 hp Ford GAA petrol engine and operated by a crew of five. An M2 heavy machine gun completed the armament. A total of 1,772 vehicles of all variants were built.

The M36 made its combat debut in October 1944 and was quickly appreciated by its crews — its gun could handle German heavy tanks at realistic combat ranges. The vehicles supported American divisions during the Ardennes fighting and the Rhineland campaign, and served for years afterwards in many armies.

Original vehicle specifications (M36 Jackson):

• Combat weight: approx. 28 t
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 90 mm M3 gun
• Secondary armament: M2 heavy machine gun
• Chassis: M10A1
• Engine: Ford GAA petrol, 450 hp
• Production: 1,772 vehicles of all variants
• Combat debut: October 1944

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The business began in timber and wooden models, and in 1960 it released its first injection-moulded plastic kit. Two years later came the 1:35 tank that established the scale as a worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for precise moulds and outstanding parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, runs to hundreds of releases and is one of the most comprehensive catalogues of 1:35 military vehicles anywhere. Alongside kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.