Trakz is a division of VLS that focuses on armor after market kits. They range from the simple ammo add on to more complex detail sets.
Being a division of VLS they have a lot of resource they can bring to producing kits.
The M-10 was designed to compete on the battle field with the stronger heavier armored Axis tanks. The Ordinance Department started the process by combining a 3" gun in an open turret on top of a Sherman hull. The 3" gun was patterned after the successful Naval versions. This was the ultimate in taking existing systems and combining them for alternate use. This design was modified to the production state.
In it's production state the M-10 carried its ammunition in the back wall of the turret and in a circular, moisture-resistant containers in the hull. The M-10 carried 58 rounds of four types: M79 AP, M62 APC, M42A1 HE, and M88 smoke.
The Kit
The kit is a full resin kit. The resin used is a strong cream color with the typical resin blocks on the end of the ammunition.
The molding is nicely done with nice detail around the firing rim and the tapering.
This kit comes with ten complete AP rounds, ten spent AP rounds. It also comes with five transport tubes and lids (separate) and five closed transport tubes. I am infiring that the larger pieces are transpor tubes because there is very little public documentation.
Based on the known dimentions of all four types of M-10 ammounition these tubes are larger in length and diameter. They are so large that they would not be able to be used as ammunition (they wouldn't fit in the breach).
I obtained actual dimentions of 1:1 rounds and these kit pieces are within normal scale limits. They are no more than .5mm off in size.
One thing to note about the rounds is that the tips of some of the rounds had a bubble trapped in the mold at pouring time. This leaves a small dent when demolded. The affect is very minor, but it's there.
overall
This is a nice kit to add the famous TD. You won't be dissapointed if you buy it. It's a good solid kit.
I'd like to thank Trakz for the set to review
SUMMARY
It's all in the details. Make your diorama of an M-10 stand out. Give your figures some ammunition to unpackage and load in the TD. This is a nice quick review of some ammunition for AFV Club's M-10 Tank Destroyer
About Scott Lodder (slodder) FROM: NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES
I modeled when I was a teenager. College, family and work stopped me for a while. Then I picked it back up after about 12 years off. My main focus is dioramas. I like the complete artistic method of story telling. Dioramas involve so many aspects of modeling and I enjoy getting involved in the ...
