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 decka musette bag that seems elongated
with too much of a cover flap butting up against a rolled tarpsome 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 |