Building the Tamiya M36 Jackson , build tips and review

#plasticmodelkit #plasticmodelkits ANDYSHHQ.COM ANDY'S HOBBY HEADQUARTERS SUPER STORE PHOENIX 2150 S 91ST AVE SUITE 105 TOLLESON , AZ 85353 MONDAY-FRIDAY 10-5 SATURDAY 10-4 GLENDALE STORE ANDY'S HOBBY HEADQUARTERS LLC 15224 N 59TH AVE SUITE 12 GLENDALE, AZ 85306 The M36 Jackson, officially known as the 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage M36, was an American tank destroyer developed during World War II. It was designed to counter the heavily armored German tanks like the Panther and Tiger, which the standard M10 tank destroyer struggled to defeat. Development and Design Doctrine: The M36 was a product of the U.S. Army's tank destroyer doctrine, which emphasized speed, mobility, and firepower over heavy armor. The idea was to use fast, well-armed vehicles to rapidly move to the site of an enemy breakthrough and destroy enemy tanks using ambush tactics. Genesis: The M36 was designed by the U.S. Army Ordnance Department in 1943. It was essentially an upgrade of the M10 tank destroyer, which was itself based on the M4 Sherman chassis. The M36 combined the M10's sloped hull and drivetrain with a new, open-topped turret that mounted a powerful 90 mm M3 gun. Prototypes and Production: The prototype, designated the T71, was standardized as the M36 in June 1944. Production began in April 1944 and continued until May 1945, with General Motors, Massey-Harris, and the American Locomotive Company serving as manufacturers. A total of 2,324 M36s were built, some by converting existing M10A1s. Combat History World War II: The M36 first saw combat in Europe in October 1944. It quickly proved its worth, as its 90 mm gun could effectively penetrate the frontal armor of German Panther and Tiger tanks at long ranges. The vehicle was used to re-equip tank destroyer battalions attached to armored divisions and earned a reputation as one of the most powerful Allied armored fighting vehicles of the war. Notable engagements include those during the Battle of the Bulge and the advance into Germany. Post-War Service: Although the tank destroyer concept was largely phased out by the U.S. Army after the war, the M36 continued to serve in various armies for decades. It saw action in conflicts such as the Korean War, where it was able to defeat any of the Soviet tanks used by North Korean and Chinese forces. It was also supplied to several other countries through the Military Assistance Program, including South Korea, France, Belgium, Italy, Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan. Some M36s in Yugoslavia, re-engined with T-55 engines, even remained in service into the 1990s. Nickname and Features "Jackson": The nickname "Jackson" was assigned to the M36 by the Ordnance Department in November 1944 for publicity purposes. However, there is little evidence that the nickname was widely used by troops in the field during the war. Open Turret: Like other American tank destroyers, the M36 featured an open-topped turret. This provided the crew with excellent visibility and situational awareness but also made them vulnerable to artillery bursts, grenades, and small arms fire. Armament: The M3 90 mm gun, with high-velocity armor-piercing (HVAP) ammunition, was a formidable weapon. It was comparable in performance to the German 8.8 cm KwK 36 gun on the Tiger I and could even rival the long 8.8 cm gun on the Tiger II. The M36 Jackson stands out as one of the most effective Allied tank destroyers of World War II, providing the firepower needed to confront the most heavily armored German tanks.