Hi Group,

A couple of weeks ago I was entrusted to review Tamiya's 1/48 M10 IIC Achilles British Tank Destroyer:


Want to see the review? See Link to Item

What is in the box? Instructions, decals, two small packs of poly caps and metal weights, and six olive sprues of parts.


Typical of Tamiya the kit has been well engineered and the fit is trouble free. Tamiya also makes good assembly instructions.


The first step is assembling the Vertical Volute Spring Suspension (VVSS) bogies. Pay close attention to the instructions as there are four steps to build six VVSS assemblies. Three different rear faces build the suspensions, and the two different parts of return rollers are used, too. Then be aware that you orient the return rollers in the opposite direction for the right or left VVSSs.




(Slightly different lighting to expose detail)

The build continues with the multi-part chassis. I don't know when they quit casting these in metal for their 1/48 series. It is built with a floor, sides, a back, and four weights. The rear plate has several parts to attach.

Once the weights are in, a token hull interior is installed. Plates for the sprockets are separately attached:


The rear plate fits well except on the idler axles. Gap filling will be required:


I decided to start attaching certain parts to the hull while it is on the sprue. The spare track framing is on:


Various and sundry assemblies and sub assemblies on display here:


To facilitate assembly, I initially assembled the VVSS with CA, then followed up with liquid cement and clamping. I used the same technique for the 17-pounder gun tube and counterweight.

What you see is approximately 2.5 hours of somewhat distracted modeling time.

Check back for more soon!

This is my source for information:

TM 9-731G. 5. 3-INCH GUN MOTOR CARRIAGE M10A1

A major issue of this kit is the lack of sponsoons which means the tracks can be seen through the open turret (alledgedly!)...

The tranny cover is also 16.2 mm high vs 17.6 actual, but for once this subject easily allows covering the tranny cover completely with stowage, so it is not as crucial an issue as it is on the hull mg equipped variants.

Gaston

Hi Gaston,

Thanks for the input. I am disappointed with the open undersponson; as we'll see next, the big racks of ammo can obscure that somewhat, especially after the turret is on.

Hi group,

I managed to sneak away from everyone and everything that I'm supposed to be doing, and managed some painting and gluing!

First, the sponson ammo racks;


No tools yet but this is the butt of the upper hull,


Main components of the "war room"


Next, dirtying up the hull and suspension, and putting that turret together.

OK, so the mud hasn't gotten spattered yet but there's been progress!

After the turret is assembled, the gun tube fits through the mantle and into the rear of the gun.


The bustle counterweight is assembled separately and then fitted to the turret. Low tabs on the lip of the bustle fit into shallow troughs on the turret for alignment, although they are not sufficient to support the component. I used CA to attach it. Next, five brackets are attached to the bustle spanning to the turret edge.

More and more parts are on, time for some paint. Base color was broken up by "spatter painting".

Well, it's certainly been too long since an update. I've started applying dust and decals. Here's the decal shot:

Hi. Nice job on this
I like the turret interior parts. I have the MR models achilles conversion for the M10 but this looks easier so may upgrade. Thanks for this review.

It's been embarrassingly long between updates but here's the latest.

These two shots show the semi-separate link tracks. Tamiya provides a long top length that spans from sprocket to idler. It is the "master track" as it attached to the front return roller via a pin/slot, creating proper alignment for the subsequent parts.

Four links mount into the teeth of the sprocket. They fit so well that this could be considered a 'snap tight' kit!
Next, the short length from the sprocket down to the first bogie. It also mounts so tightly that I did not apply cement!


The tank rests upon another long piece that spans from the first bogie to the last one. The another intermediate short length reached from the ground to the idler. It needs cement. Finally, you place five more individual links around the idler to complete the track. One side fit so tight that no cement was needed, while the other side needed cement. However, I went back and used Tamiya extra thin glue to make sure all of the links bonded togther forever.

I used a variety of products to model the weathering:

Polly Scale for the rubber treads
Wilder Dark Rust for the edges
Lifecolor Dust for the, well, dust!

Final assembly meant attaching the 'fiddly parts' such as the pioneer equipment, spare tracks and bogies.


It was at this point that I noticed that Tamiya missed something! Two if the 'fiddly parts' I saved for last are the guards for the headlights. But then I noticed they are not used on Achilles. I scrutinized the box art, instructions, etc., and noticed the guards are not used. However, Tamiya does not mention filling of the divots the guards fit into. Also, all images show some type of round fitting covering the mounting bracket for the headlights. Those round fitting are nowhere to be found in the instructions nor on the sprues. They are illustrated as part of the assembled model, just not mentioned in assembly.


While that oversight is disappointing, those divots will not be difficult to fill or hide under stowage.

I touched up the dust, simulated the headlamp lenses with paint and...

...ladies and gentlemen, I present brave Achilles!

I think this is a good model. I enjoyed building it. Typical of Tamiya, it is well molded and assembly just fell together.

Pay close attention to the assembly of the VVSS.

Used care with the fine lift rings and thin tools.

I am troubled by the missing fittings on the glacis. Using raised circles on the hull sides to align applique armor bolts is something I thought died out in the 1980s. I wish the .50 caliber machine gun handles were molded as a separate part instead of solid in the butt of the gun.

Still, I am quite happy with my model. I don't think anyone will go wrong buying and building it for one's 1/48 military collection. Go ahead, treat yourself!


Here is the link to the review: Tamiya M10 IIC Achilles

I almost forgot. Here are some of the spare parts (including some tools) this kit affords you:

Gaston, alledgedly was a good call. Happily, the hull ammunition storage completely blocks any sight of the tracks.

That turned out nicely.

I've been following your build throughout. I'm disappointed that Tamiya did not include all the parts from the original M10 kit, as those are hard to come by anymore, but it is what it is. The lack of adequate hull fittings is also not surprising, as they're known to cut corners.

Nevertheless, it is nice to see an Achilles in this scale, and judging from your photos and posts, it looks like it was a fun kit to build. I'll certainly be picking one up when I clear my current 1/48 afv projects.

Thanks for sharing.

Nice review and build! Must pick up one of these at some stage ......

On the lights and brush guards, almost all wartimne pics show them so it must be that Chelsea is without them hence the instructions leaving them off. If using alternative decals they can be fitted solving the gap problem.

cheers
Brent

This was a nice build review, Fred, and it turned out great.

Ralph, it certainly was! And despite it taking about 5 months for me to complete, it is an easy model to build.

Brent, that is good information - thank you for clarifying the detail shown in wartime photos of Chelsea.

Russ, thank you.

Excellent work and review,

Thanks....

That is a nice build. I never heard of that tank name before. I like it..