Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG3420 Achilles IIC “Chelsea” I Corps, Normandy, summer 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 using the carriage of the M4 tank and a 3-inch M7 AA Gun. 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 known as Achilles.

The British managed to modify 124 M10s into what they called Achilles IICs in time for D- Day. These were distributed among Royal Artillery and Royal Canadian Artillery units. Achilles IIC S237811 “Chelsea” belonged to C Troop, 245 Battery, 62nd Anti- Tank Regiment, RA of the British I Corps. During “Operation Charnwood” July 8 - 9 1944 as a part of the Battle for Caen, Chelsea was one of 4 Achilles IICs knocked out with 4 others damaged during a German counter-attack in which the Germans lost 13 tanks.

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