90 mm Gun Motor Carriage
M36.B1 Tank Destroyer

Kit-bashing in Scala 1:76

An example of kit-bashing, combining parts from different model kits to create a vehicle which is unavailable otherwise. The author used the chassis of an ESCI M4A3 Sherman tank, e the torretta of Fujimi’s M36B2 Gun Motor Carriage to produce an earlier variant of the latter vehicle. Only 187 operational units of the M36B1 were built in 1944.

Kit-bashing is an easy way to generate a model of a lesser known vehicle. Kit-bashing often reflects the manner in which new veicoli were produced, placing newly designed torrette onto existing chassis designs. In this particular case, the components stem from due vehicle which are available in different scales, ESCI typically being considered scala 1:72, whereas Fujimi veicoli are in scala 1:76. However, in a book published by Military Modelling Magazine, called "Guide to Military Vehicles", Robin Buckland points out that ESCI’s M4A3 scales out more like 1:76 than 1:72. The M4A3 Sherman may be hard to find, it comes in a boxed set con US Paratroopers. Nitto/Fujimi’s M4A3E2 chassis may be more readily available. In order to backdate the M4A3E2 chassis to the M4A3 version, the running gear of the M36B2 kit would have to be used, although this has been criticized as being undersized.

The author now has tre torrette which fit the ESCI M4A3 hull, the original torretta, the M36 torretta ed a T23 torretta con the 76 mm gun. All components were painted to match the chassis, ed it is very easy to switch torrette, depending on which vehicle the author wants to display. Of course, only one of the tre torretta variants can match the vehicle registration number, ed insignia displayed on the hull. In this case the original torretta was chosen to conform to the vehicle registration number, it is the most common variant of the tre.

Parts Required

• M4A3 Sherman Hull, 1:72 ESCI No. 8064
• M36 torretta e Crew, 1:76 Fujimi No. 76017
• Combat Stowage

Valutazione

• A simple conversion project, Fujimi’s M36 torretta fits ESCI’s M4A3 hull nicely.
• Rarity, only 187 operational units of the M36B1 were produced in 1944.
• The ESCI M4A3 is closer to 1:76 scale than the 1:72 scale advertised on the box.
• The M4A3 chassis went together nicely. The author received a package con one-piece rubber tracks in addition to multi-piece plastic tracks, although the instructions only indicated the plastic tracks. The plastic tracks were used, because they age better, even if they require more assembly work. Some rubber tracks deteriorate over time, although this does not seem to have been a problem with ESCI tracks in the past.

• The old Nitto kit (now manufactured by Fujimi) is not as good as the ESCI chassis. There are some problems con historic accuracy. The model has a bow MG on the front hull which the M36 never had. The mounting bolts on the hull are not molded very sharply. In order to use the hull for an Achilles (M10 con 17-pdr gun) britannico conversion, the bolts e the MG should be removed. Some Achilles tank destroyers did not have the bolts, ed it is more convincing to take them off.
• The M36 gun leaves to be desired. The kit is designed to have a moveable gun, but the fit is too tight to allow any movement. In addition, the muzzle brake seems to have the wrong shape, some trimming is required.
• Unfortunately, without its torretta, the M36B2 hull cannot be used for another kit-bash. One way around this dilemma is not to swap torrette permanently, but to keep them separate, e rotate i veicoli on display. Of course, if a separate torretta for the Achilles tank destroyer britannico were available as a resin part, the kit-bashing cycle could be completed: The M4A3 would receive the M36 torretta, e the M36 could be converted to an Achilles con un cannone 17 pdr britannico e torretta.
• ESCI’s M4A3 may be hard to find. The vehicle is no longer available as a separate kit, only as a boxed set con US Paratroopers. This is very unfortunate, because the M4A3 hull is needed for the M4A3E2 Jumbo Assault Sherman conversion.

Utilizzo Storico

• NW Europe, 1944-45

Conversione

• M4A3 con T23 torretta e 76 mm gun (available from Vac-U-Cast).
• Achilles IIC Tank Destroyer britannico (M10 con cannone 17-pdr britannico)

Kit-bashing requires a little detective work, figuring out which components from due o more existing vehicle kits can be used to create a rare hybrid. This modelling technique closely emulates history. Many famous veicoli were hybrid designs, sporting new torrette e superstructures on proven, readily available, o obsolete chassis. Kit-bashing is much easier than building a vehicle from scratch, often a simple torretta swap can do the job.

Patrick Storto

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Per ulteriori informazioni, per favore contatta la redazione di Rivista Military Miniatures nel Miniatures Forum.

Soldatini Americani della Seconda Guerra Mondiale

– Pubblicato: 1997 – Aggiornato: 22.05.2007
© 1997-2012 by IDL Software GmbH, Darmstadt, Germania. Tutti diritti reservati.