Oh allmigthy ShermanGods ... etc.

I have the M 10 "duckbill" from Academy and want to replace the kit-tracks with some aftermarket - preferrably Fruils, but I am i doubt about what type is the most correct - allsteel type 51 or.... ??

MrMox,

Sorry I'm not a shermangod and I have no answer for you. I do have a question. I'm not really familiar with US tank destroyers but I thought this AFV was called a wolverine or Achilles for the british version. Am I mistaking, or is this duckbill a completly different vehicle tahn the wolverine?

Hut

Its basically a standard M10 with redesigned counterweights on the turret - the M10 was used by US, the Brits used the Achilles upgunned with the 17 pdr. gun.

Aha, thanks,

I hope you get an answer too.

Hut

just to add to what mrmox has said already;

duckbill refers to the shape of the counterweights on late version M10s.

wolverine is the name supposedly given by the british to standard M10s.
achilles is the name of the 17pdr armed versions.

however these names appear to be either made up post war ones, or very rare wartime names. the vast majority of troops called them either 'M10's' or '17 pounder M10's'.

only the later models with duckbill counterweights were provided to british troops.

and as far as im aware all types of VVSS sherman track was used on the machine. photos of US vehicles often show either rubber block or rubber chevron. so i would advise you go for the AFV club workables. they are cheaper, easier to use and look just as good. just sand the raised ejector pin mark from each link and push together.

cheers

joe

Hello Jan...

You can place any type of Sherman based track under your M10, since it has the same bogey's.
In Holland is a great online shop who sells Fruil tracks, and they have outstanding service, and very quick delivery!!
I buy a lot of my stuff there, and I'm allways satisfied with the products they have!
Here's the link: http://www.plasticmodelbouw.nl/

Enjoy, Hope this helped, John.

Hi Mr Mox ...If I were you I wouldn't buy friuls for a Sherman ...They are really wierd ...you have three different bags of tracks and you need to add special tracks where they turn up to go around the sprockets and return wheels ...strange!! If I were you I'd go with the AFV club or use the RHHP ones for what it's worth. I've seen about every kind of track on the M10's so find a picture of the one you want to build and order the right tracks.

Rick

I agree, for sherman variants use RHPS or AFV Club track. They are semi-workable in that they will hang together and be flexible while you add them to the vehicle but are really meant to be glued together after installation to ensure they stay in place. A little liquid glue on each end connector andthey are solidly in place.

From what I've seen, the Fruil Sherman track look like a pig to assemble and they will likely be so heavy that there will be a noticable sag in the track between return rollers. This is quite inaccurate as Sherman track was "live" and have very little sag (like 2cm max) when maintained correctly (and track sag was one of those things you didn't neglect as it frequently was the difference between throwing a track and not).

Model Kasten also make Sherman track, but these look like something that would drive you right round the bend if you built them. 5or 6 pieces per link times 160 links? Nope, not this lifetime.

HTH

Paul Roberts
Vice President
AMPS Interim Board

Thx a lot, it alls ends up with a set of AFV Club T51´s, its also cheaper ass earlier mentioned ... :-)

Again, thanks for the help, allied armor ain´t really my field - yet!