Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG3411 Achilles IIc Polish 1st Armored Division Netherlands, Autumn 1944

Authentic Detailing Pre-Painted by professionals Accurate paint colors Markings Tampo (pad) applied Fully Assembled Die-Cast Model True to Scale (1:72) Weathering and insignias Turret turns Metal turret and main gun Realistic tracks

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 M10s 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 Polish 1st Armored Division was created in February 1942 in Scotland with approximately 16,000 members. After the break out from the beaches of Normandy the Polish troops drove the Germans north along the English Channel coast, through Holland. They managed to liberate several cities along the one. One town, Breda was liberated without the loss of any civilians because of an outflanking maneuver by General Maczek and his men. The 1st also took part in the Allied push into Germany to end WWII in Europe.

Specifications Achilles IIC Dimensions Length: 19 ft 7 in (5.97 m) Length with gun: 23 ft 8.25 in (7.27 m) Width: 10 ft (3.05 m) Height: 8 ft 2 in (2.9 m) Battle Weight: 66,000 lb (29.6 long tons) Ground clearance: 12.3 in (.31 m)

Armour: 0.4 in - 1.6 (10 - 41 mm)

Powerplant Engine: air-cooled fuel injected 12 cylinder GM M6046 (2 X 6 cylinder GM 6-71 in line) 210 hp each at 2,100 rpm Fuel type: Diesel. Fuel capacity: 137 gal (624 liter)

Transmission: 5 forward, 1 reverse Range: 140 mi (225 km)

Armament Primary: 77 mm 17-pounder Mk. V Ammunition: 50 rounds Secondary: 12.7 mm Browning .50 caliber MG (AA) Ammunition: 450 rounds