M36 Jackson Stowage
Modeling the U.S. Army in WWII

Blast Models
35045

Blast has produced this set for the Academy M36, but it also ably serves the AFV Club version of the tank destroyer. The four castings, rather thickly attached to the carriers, provide the usual complement of tent rolls, sleeping bags, sacks, and musette bags that festooned the various surfaces of any AFV during the war. The front load includes two road wheels, an oil can, and a couple of sandbags supported by a board. The pieces for the sides of the turret can be painted in a variety of OD and tan shades; I used a blend of colors to represent a rubberized fabric like a poncho. The part for the engine deck—a musette bag that seems elongated with too much of a cover flap butting up against a rolled tarp—some modelers might want to add a wooden box or additional packs from the spares collection to augment this part.

Sculptor Fréderick Astier's work skillfully represents the folds and weight of these bags as they lie on or hang from the vehicle. There is an inconsistency with this portrayal of the musette bags, which are rendered in different sizes, rather than different degrees of fullness. As these accessory bags often vary in size from one kit manufacturer to another (e.g., Verlinden's are larger than Tamiya's), you can swap things around a bit if the size discrepancy is too noticeable for your tastes. You also can mix and match parts with Hobby Fan's M36 Crew and Accessories to vary the look. And Blast's pieces for the glacis and deck can also be adapted to Shermans (the front load is all below and to the right of the hull MG).

-tss

 

Modeling the U.S. Army in WWII © 2002—2007 Timothy S. Streeter