Why did Tamiya go with the early style Turret rather than the later style Turret?

By earlier style turret, do you mean the rear counterweights? Or was their some other distinct feature that distinguish early from late style turrets?

Sonny: the upper rear turret walls came in two configurations. The first one (which is in Tamiya's kit) have them inclined in, towards the top. The later version had them vertical. Those held the later "duckbill" counterweights. Also, that was the type of M10 that the Brits upgraded with the 17pdrs. If you look at Tamiya's 1/48 M10 and Achilles IIC, they made the two turrets. Hopefully they plan to replay that with the 1/35 configuration.

What's needed is an ALL-NEW M18 with slide-molded parts, ESPECIALLY the Drive Sprockets, Rear Idlers, and a way more comprehensive Interior. Ditto for an all-new PLASTIC M8 HMC... (The New TMD's resin M8 Conversion is BEAUTIFUL, but out of some modellers' league, financially speaking...)

Saw an ad here in Tokyo that says early Aug release for the M10 kit. Grant

a nice kit like that but no interior so why bother

Gosh Nick. I guess most 1/35 kits aren't "worth bothering with" since very few are produced with full interiors. And those that are, certainly are aimed at very experienced modelers. I suppose if you limit yourself to soft-skins and some SPGs, your interior delight can be sated -- but to simply say this kit isn't worth bothering b/c it lacks a driver's compartment is a head shaker. As has been described, very little if any of the drivers compartment is visible. For those inclined, there are many options.

yeah if i was to waste money on academy's M10 just for the interior so i can throw out the rest of the kit

Ah, thanks for clarifying Roy. So wedge shape counterweights should have the sloped rear turret wall, while duckbill counterweights should have straight rear turret wall. I just got the Tankograd M10 book, so I should be able to do a more detailed research.