M36B1 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC) Tank Destroyer with 2 Scheme Options 1/35 Level 3 Plastic Model Kit by Airfix
- Brand new plastic model kit of M36B1 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC) Tank Destroyer with 2 Scheme Options (Level 3) 1/35 plastic model kit by Airfix.
- Brand new box.
- Vintage style packaging.
- Officially licensed product.
- Contains 200+ detailed parts.
- Does NOT include display stand.
- Paint and cement required (not included).
- Manufacturer's original unopened packaging.
- Parts molded in Light Brown, unless otherwise indicated.
- Includes decals to design the tank in 2 different schemes.
- Dimensions approximately L-8.38, W-3.42 inches assembled.
HISTORY ASPECTS:
The M36B1 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC) was an American tank destroyer developed during World War II as a stopgap solution to address the growing need for more powerful anti-tank weaponry. Unlike the standard M36, which mounted its 90mm gun on the M10 tank destroyer chassis, the M36B1 combined the M36 turret with the hull of the M4A3 Sherman tank. This hybrid design enabled quicker production since the M4A3 chassis was already widely manufactured. The 90mm gun was capable of defeating the thick armor of late-war German tanks such as the Panther and Tiger, offering U.S. forces an effective response to those battlefield threats.
The M36B1 first saw action in late 1944 during the Allied campaigns in Western Europe, particularly in France and the Low Countries. It played a critical role during the Battle of the Bulge, where U.S. forces faced surprise German offensives spearheaded by heavy armor. The M36B1's high-velocity cannon and mobility made it invaluable in both ambush tactics and in head-on engagements. Its open-topped turret, though a vulnerability to shrapnel and small arms fire, allowed for better visibility and faster targeting in fluid combat situations.
Following World War II, the M36B1 continued to serve in U.S. and allied inventories, most notably during the Korean War. There, it proved effective against North Korean T-34/85 tanks, further validating the longevity and utility of its 90mm gun. Some M36B1s were exported to allied nations and remained in service well into the Cold War era, a testament to the ruggedness and effectiveness of its design.
This 1:35 scale model captures the unique blend of the Sherman chassis with the M36’s powerful turret, showcasing every bolt, weld seam, and rivet with impressive realism. A must-have for WWII armor collectors and diorama builders, it offers a dynamic centerpiece that reflects the battlefield ingenuity and firepower of the U.S. Army’s late-war tank destroyer strategy.
