M36 Jackson U.S. Tank Destroyer

Tamiya 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Summary

B a c k g r o u n d

The M36 tank destroyer, formally 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage, M36, was an American tank destroyer used during World War II. The M36 combined the hull of the M10 tank destroyer, which used the M4 Sherman's reliable chassis and drivetrain combined with sloped armour, and a new turret mounting the 90 mm gun M3.

Conceived in 1943, the M36 first served in combat in Europe in October 1944, where it partially replaced the M10 tank destroyer. It also saw use in the Korean War, where it was able to defeat any of the Soviet tanks used in that conflict. Some were supplied to South Korea as part of the Military Assistance Program and served for years, as did re-engined examples found in Yugoslavia, which operated into the 1990s.

Two remained in service with the Republic of China Army at least until 2001.

The vehicle is also known by the nickname General Jackson, or just Jackson, which was originally assigned to the vehicle by the Ordnance Department in November 1944 for publicity purposes, such as in newspapers, but does not appear to have been used by troops in the field during the war.

The M36 was well-liked by its crews, being one of the few armoured fighting vehicles available to US forces that could destroy heavy German tanks from a distance. An 814th gunner, Lt Alfred Rose, scored a kill against a Panther at 4,600 yards (4200 meters), the maximum range of the telescopic sight. However, the Panther's 82 to 85mm thick glacis plate could deflect shots at certain angles from the 90 mm gun at just 150 yards (137 meters).

Testing done in December 1944 by the 703rd Tank Destroyer Battalion concluded that the M36’s 90mm Gun would theoretically not be able to penetrate the frontal armour of a Tiger II at any range with the ammunition that was available to them. but that it was tactically viable to engage Panther tanks from the side.

F i r s t L o o k

Tamiya has expanded its WWII Allied catalogue with a new 1:35 scale M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer. This kit has nothing at all in common with the old motorised M10 released in 1968.

Tamiya’s 1:35 scale M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer comprises 392 parts in dark green plastic, ten parts in clear, 4 small and 4 large polythene caps and markings for two vehicles.

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The kit is almost all new, including the VVSS running gear.

The only recycled sprues are the .50 cal machine gun, which dates from 1998, and the clear sprue, which includes generic light lenses and crew goggles.

Crisp surface detail is present throughout including convincing cast texture on the transmission cover.

Weld beads are chunky and realistic, while tie-downs are moulded directly to the turret.

Like the rest of the kit, the running gear is new. The mid-style Vertical Volute Spring Suspension (VVSS) bogie units feature straight return roller arms, packed roller mounts, and full-length flexible T51 rubber block tracks. These VVSS bogie trucks look very much like the parts used on Tamiya’s 2016 M10 right down to the same casting numbers, but they are attached to a new sprue dated 2025.

The open spoke road wheels are presented in one piece each. Each tyre is moulded to the main plastic section.

The drive sprockets are attached via polythene caps.

The lower hull is made up from a “flat pack” arrangement of separate hull floor, sides and radiators. The fighting compartment floor is built into this sub-assembly.

The two sponson blanks will ensure your Jackson will avoid that pesky see-through look!. Ammunition stowage is mounted on the top side of the sponsons.

Tamiya has supplied link-and-length plastic tracks for this release.

Note that the idler wheel mounts are also workable track tensioners. Do not glue these parts in place initially, as you may want to swing the arms to adjust the track when it is installed.

The clear sprue includes a number of generic parts that you will not need, but the headlight lenses and goggles will come in handy.

The hull crew hatches may be posed either open or closed.

40 individual armour bosses are supplied for the outside of the hull and the turret. They are attached at a single point so the job is not too hard.

The turret interior provides a nicely detailed 90 mm gun breech, racks, boxes, stowed ammunition, gunsight, crew seats and more. This looks suitably busy.

The 90 mm gun barrel is moulded in two piece – the main barrel and a short muzzle at the front. A .50 cal machine gun is mounted at the rear of the turret.

The tow cable is supplied as a four-piece plastic sub-assembly. This works really well – precise and realistic. No string for this one!

The decal sheet offers two US WWII options, one in winter whitewash and one in overall Olive Drab.

Tamiya supplies additional stowage by way of packs and additional ammunition. Nice touch

The package is rounded out with one relaxed looking crew figure.

Moulding quality, fabric drape and facial details are very good. I would not hesitate to use this guy straight from the box with only the addition of straps for the goggles.

C o n c l u s i o n

Tamiya's 1:35 scale M36 Tank Destroyer is a well detailed model with a nicely fitted out turret and a crew figure.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Tamiya Japan for the sample

Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited