Hobby Master Archive

The US M10 was the most produced US tank destroyer of WWII. The British M10s were called Achilles IIC because of the modification of the main gun from a 3 inch gun to a quick-firing British 17 Pounder. The conversions took place at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. The Mk. IC had a diesel engine while the Mk. IIC had a gasoline engine. Even the gun of the Mk. IIC was having difficulty against the heavy armor of the German Panthers and Tigers. Gradually the M36 Jackson with its heavier armor began to take over from the M10 and Achilles.

On November 21, 1941 General George Marshall activated what would become a tank destroyer force. In order to develop and train personnel 300 Texas farmers had their land expropriated and Camp Hood was created, named after General John Bell Hood. The camp quickly expanded beyond just a TD training facility, with upwards of 100,000 soldiers being trained for various functions within the Army. Late in WWII 4,000 German POWs were interned there. The TD Battalions motto was Seek, Strike, Destroy and their emblem a Black Panther. A painting of “Crunchin' Kitty” is painted under the rear of the turret on “Pistol Packin' Mama”.

Specifications M10 Tank Destroyer Country of Origin: USA Entered Service in: 1942 Crew: 5 (Commander, 3x gun crew, driver).

Dimensions Height: 2.57 m (8.43 ft) Length: 6.83 m (22.41 ft) (w/ gun) - 5.97 m (19.6 ft) (w/o gun) Width: 3.05 m (10 ft) Weight: 29.6 tonnes Power/weight: 12.5 hp/tonne Armour Hull, up to 51 mm Turret, up to 57 mm Armament Main Armament: M7 3-inch “76.2 mm” Gun - 54 rounds Secondary Armament: .50 caliber M2 Machine Gun - 300 rounds Power plant General Motors Twin Diesel 6-71375 hp (276 kW)

Suspension: vertical volute spring Performance Road Speed: 51 km/h (32 mph) Range: 300 km (186 miles)

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG3417 M10 US Tank Destroyer ‘Pistol Packin Mama’ US TD School, Texas, 1943

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