Vehicles
Academy 1:35 German Pz. Kpfw. VI Tiger I (Early version, with interior)
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Academy 1:35 - German Pz. Kpfw. VI Tiger I (Early version, with interior) - Plastic model kit #13239 (Replaces ACA01348)
The Tiger I, a German heavy tank of World War II, was deployed from 1942 in Africa and Europe commonly in independent heavy tank battalions with the designation Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E often shortened to Tiger. The Tiger I gave the Wehrmacht its first armoured fighting vehicle that used the KwK 36 88-mm gun. In total 1,347 were built between August 1942 and August 1944. Production was over time phased out in favour of the Tiger II.
The Tiger I has been called an excellent design for its time, however it was over-engineered, using expensive materials and labour-intensive production methods. The Tiger was prone to some types of track failures and breakdowns, and had limited range given its high fuel consumption. It was expensive to run, but normally mechanically reliable. It was also difficult to transport, and vulnerable to immobilisation when mud, ice and snow froze between its overlapping and interleaved Schachtellaufwerk-pattern road wheels, often causing them to jam. This was a problem on the Eastern Front in the muddy rasputitsa (semi-annual mud seasons) and winter weather conditions.
The tank was named "Tiger" by Ferdinand Porsche, and the Roman numeral was added after the later Tiger II entered production. The early designation was Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausführung H (‘‘Panzer VI version H’’, abbreviated PzKpfw VI Ausf. H) where 'H' denoted Henschel as the designer/manufacturer. It was given ordnance inventory designation SdKfz 182. The tank was later redesignated as PzKpfw VI Ausf. E in March 1943, with ordnance inventory designation SdKfz 181.
Tigers had a crew of 5. They could travel up to 23mph on roads and were powered by the Maybach 21, 353cc V-12 engines that delivered 642hp.
Academy 1:35 German Pz. Kpfw. VI Tiger I (Early version, no interior)
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Academy 1:35 - German Pz. Kpfw. VI Tiger I Early version, no interior with 4 figures - Plastic model kit #13264 (ACA01386)
The Tiger I, a German heavy tank of World War II, was deployed from 1942 in Africa and Europe commonly in independent heavy tank battalions with the designation Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E often shortened to Tiger. The Tiger I gave the Wehrmacht its first armoured fighting vehicle that used the KwK 36 88-mm gun. In total 1,347 were built between August 1942 and August 1944. Production was over time phased out in favour of the Tiger II.
The Tiger I has been called an excellent design for its time, however it was over-engineered, using expensive materials and labour-intensive production methods. The Tiger was prone to some types of track failures and breakdowns, and had limited range given its high fuel consumption. It was expensive to run, but normally mechanically reliable. It was also difficult to transport, and vulnerable to immobilisation when mud, ice and snow froze between its overlapping and interleaved Schachtellaufwerk-pattern road wheels, often causing them to jam. This was a problem on the Eastern Front in the muddy rasputitsa (semi-annual mud seasons) and winter weather conditions.
The tank was named "Tiger" by Ferdinand Porsche, and the Roman numeral was added after the later Tiger II entered production. The early designation was Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausführung H (‘‘Panzer VI version H’’, abbreviated PzKpfw VI Ausf. H) where 'H' denoted Henschel as the designer/manufacturer. It was given ordnance inventory designation SdKfz 182. The tank was later redesignated as PzKpfw VI Ausf. E in March 1943, with ordnance inventory designation SdKfz 181.
Tigers had a crew of 5. They could travel up to 23mph on roads and were powered by the Maybach 21, 353cc V-12 engines that delivered 642hp.
Kit details:
- 312 parts in tan and black plastic
- 88mm gun elevates and turret rotates
- Separate road wheels and suspension arms; tracks are rubber band type
- External details include exhausts and exhaust shields, hatches, smoke generators and headlights
- 4 figures included
- Detailed engine access and turret hatches
One decal sheet with 4 marking options:
1: #S13, 2nd SS Panzer Div. "Das Reich, Kursk, Russia, 1943.
2: #S03, 1st SS Panzer Div., Michael Wittmann, Berdichev, Russia, Jan 1944.
3: #123, 502nd Heavy Tank Btn, Otto Carius, Lovetz, Russia, 1943.
4: #712, 504th Heavy Tank Btn, Tunisia, Afrika Korps, 1943.
Academy 1:35 German Pz. Kpfw. 35 (t)
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Academy 1:35 - German Pz. Kpfw. 35 (t) - Plastic model kit #13280
The Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) was a Czechoslovak-designed light tank used mainly by the Wehrmacht in World War II. The letter (t) stood for tschechisch (German: "Czech"). In Czechoslovak service, it had the formal designation Lehký tank vzor 35 (Light Tank Model 35), but was commonly referred to as the LT vz. 35 or LT-35.
Of the 434 built, the Wehrmacht seized 244 when they occupied Bohemia-Moravia in March 1939 and the Slovaks took over 52 when they declared independence from Czechoslovakia. Others were also sent to Bulgaria and Romania. In German service, the tank saw combat during the early years of World War II, notably the Invasion of Poland, the Battle of France and the invasion of the Soviet Union. They were used for the remainder of the war by other countries and as a training tank in Bulgaria into the 1950s.
Sprue Layout:
- A sprue, upper hull and main hull, with the sides as separate parts.
- B sprue, turret and turret parts, figures, with two heads and separate headgear each.
- C sprue, jerry can racks.
- E sprue, lower hull fittings and track guards.
- F sprue, (2), running gear.
- G sprue, (2), link and length tracks.
- H sprue, (2), attached to the G sprue, jerry cans.
Two vehicles can be built from the kit, one from service in France, and the alternative from the Eastern Front. Both variants are tanks from the 6th Panzer Division that were painted dark grey.
Academy 1:35 German PzKpfw. IV Ausf. H Mid Version
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Academy 1:35 - German Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. H, Mid Version - Plastic model kit #13516
The German medium tank Panzerkampfwagen IV was developed in the late 1930s and was used extensively during WWII. The production of the Panzer IV Ausf. H started in June 1943. This version was designated the Sd. Kfz. 161/2. Compared to the previous variants, this model had Zimmerit paste on all the vertical surfaces of its armour in order to prevent adhesion of magnetic anti-tank mines. The turret roof was reinforced from 10mm to 16 and 25mm segments. 5mm hull skirts and 8mm turret skirts were added for further protection, which resulted in the elimination of the vision ports on the hull side. Later the hull was also fitted with triangular supports for the easily damaged side skirts. Along with some other modifications, these additions to the design increased the tank's weight to 25 tonnes, and the maximum speed dropped to 16 km/h on cross country terrain.
Details:
- WWII German Army medium tank
- Detailed Ausf. H Mid production version was made in late 1943
- Features 75mm KwK 40/L48 main gun and MG34 machine gun
- Can be assembles with hatches open or closed
- Zimmerit coating decal included
- Flexible rubber tracks
Download instructions for this kit here
Academy 1:35 M1A2 Abrams MBT Tusk I/II V2 US Army
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Academy 1:35 - M1A2 Abrams MBT Tusk I/II V2 US Army - Plastic model kit #13298
The M1 Abrams is a modern U.S. third-generation main battle tank. It entered service in 1980 to replace the M60. The M1 is the principal main battle tank of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. It is also widely used by the armies of Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Iraq. The M1A2 is one of the main versions of the M1 Abrams. Compared to M1A1, it has an improved fire control system, an improved cooling system, and digital maps.
- Current version of U.S. Army M1A2 Tank
- Includes V1, TUSK I, TUSK II with three marking options
- Flexible tracks, CROWS and reactive armour included
- Features armoured gun shield parts of V2, TUSK I, TUSK II
- Contains photo-etched parts and masking seal
Academy 1:35 German Pz. Kpfw. VI Tiger I (Late production version)
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Academy 1:35 - German Pz. Kpfw. VI Tiger I Heavy Tank 'Late Version' (Late production version) - Plastic model kit #13314
The Tiger I, a German heavy tank of World War II, was deployed from 1942 in Africa and Europe commonly in independent heavy tank battalions with the designation Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E often shortened to Tiger. The Tiger I gave the Wehrmacht its first armoured fighting vehicle that used the KwK 36 88-mm gun. In total 1,347 were built between August 1942 and August 1944. Production was over time phased out in favour of the Tiger II.
The Tiger I has been called an excellent design for its time, however it was over-engineered, using expensive materials and labour-intensive production methods. The Tiger was prone to some types of track failures and breakdowns, and had limited range given its high fuel consumption. It was expensive to run, but normally mechanically reliable. It was also difficult to transport, and vulnerable to immobilisation when mud, ice and snow froze between its overlapping and interleaved Schachtellaufwerk-pattern road wheels, often causing them to jam. This was a problem on the Eastern Front in the muddy rasputitsa (semi-annual mud seasons) and winter weather conditions.
The tank was named "Tiger" by Ferdinand Porsche, and the Roman numeral was added after the later Tiger II entered production. The early designation was Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausführung H (‘‘Panzer VI version H’’, abbreviated PzKpfw VI Ausf. H) where 'H' denoted Henschel as the designer/manufacturer. It was given ordnance inventory designation SdKfz 182. The tank was later redesignated as PzKpfw VI Ausf. E in March 1943, with ordnance inventory designation SdKfz 181.
Tigers had a crew of 5. They could travel up to 23mph on roads and were powered by the Maybach 21, 353cc V-12 engines that delivered 642hp.
This rewarding kit provides marking for 10 variants:
- Tiger I, 312, Pz.Abt. 505, Central Russia, 1944
- Tiger I, 007, Pz.Abt. 101, Caen, France, 1944, Michael Wittmann
- Tiger I, 212, Pz.Abt. 101, Normandy, France, 1944, Michael Wittmann
- Tiger I, 221, Pz.Abt. 102, Northern France, 1944
- Tiger I, 313, Pz.Abt. 503, Normandy France, 1944
- Tiger I, 300, Pz.Abt. 505, Central Russia, 1944
- Tiger I, 2, Pz.Abt. 506, Ukraine, 1944
- Tiger I, 3, Pz.Abt. 508, Toscana, Italy, 1944
- Tiger I, 912, 9th SS Pz.Abt., Radzymin, Poland, 1944
- Tiger I, A22, Grossdeutschland Panzer Division, Gumbinnen, Lithuania, 1944
Kit details:
- Detailed suspension
- Hull details including photo-etched engine deck grilles
- Full compliment of pioneering tools and external details
- Separately moulded (not clear) periscopes and guards
- Positionable crew hatches
- Choice of muzzle brake
- Stowage box on rear of turret
- Commander's machine gun on pintle
- Optional crew figure
Academy 1:35 German Panzer IV Ausf. H/J
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Academy 1:35 - German Panzer IV Ausf. H/J - Plastic model kit #13234
The Panzerkampfwagen IV was a German medium tank extensively used during WWII.
The production of the Ausf. H, designated the Sd. Kfz. 161/2, started in June 1943. At that time Germany expected that the Allies would use magnetic anti-tank mines in large numbers. This resulted in adding Zimmerit paste to all the vertical surfaces of the Ausf. H's armour to prevent adhesion of the mines.
The glacis armour was manufactured as a single 80mm plate. The turret roof was reinforced from 10mm to 16mm and 25mm segments. Additional 5mm hull skirts and 8mm turret skirts were added to the tank's side and turret for protection. The vehicle's rubber-tired return rollers were replaced with cast steel. In the end the tank's weight increased to 25 tonnes and its top speed dropped to 16 km/h.
The final version of the Panzer IV - the Ausf. J - was greatly simplified in order to speed up the production. Due to the removal of the electric generator which powered the turret traverse, the turret had to be rotated manually. The resulting space was used for the installation of an additional fuel tank. By late 1944, Zimmerit was no longer used on German armoured vehicles, and the tank's side-skirts were replaced by wire mesh.
Academy 1:35 German Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer (Late production version)
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Academy 1:35 - German Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer (Late production version) - Plastic model kit #13230
The Jagdpanzer 38 (Sd.Kfz. 138/2), later known as the Hetzer ("pursuer/hunter"), was a German light tank destroyer, based on a modified Czechoslovakian Panzer 38(t) chassis, inspired by the Romanian "Mareşal" tank destroyer.
The Jagdpanzer 38 was a common late-war German tank destroyer. It was produced in relatively large numbers and was for the most part mechanically reliable. The tank first entered service in July 1944. Armed with the 7.5cm PaK 39 L48 main gun with limited traverse and featured sloped armour on its very low profile. An MG34 was mounted to the vehicle roof. It was well liked by crews, fairly reliable and concealable. Drawbacks were that it was very cramped inside the tank, had limited ammo and very thin armour. It was first used in the field in July of 1944 and would go on to serve on both fronts. Approximately 2,800 were built. The name Hetzer was unofficial and used by German troops in the field, then adopted by post war publications.
Due to the large number produced, the Jagdpanzer 38 is probably the most abundant WWII German tank destroyer remaining today.
Academy 1:35 - T-34 747(r) German Version
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Academy 1:35 - T-34 747(r) German Version - Plastic Model Kit #13502
Throughout WWII German troops managed to capture a number of Soviet tanks including the T-34, renamed as Panzerkampfwagen T-34 747(r) in German service and modified according to the requirements of the Wehrmacht. Equipped with radio and a German commander's cupola, T-34 747(r) tanks were also marked with a Balkenkreuz or a swastika in order to differentiate them from Soviet T-34's.
Academy 1:35 German StuG IV Sd.Kfz.167 Early
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Academy 1:35 - German StuG IV Sd.Kfz.167 Early - Plastic model kit #13522
The Sturmgeschütz IV, shortened to StuG IV or Sd.Kfz.167, was a German assault gun designed on the basis of the Panzer IV in the last years of the Second World War. The main role of the StuG IV on the battlefield was the same anti-tank role of its predecessor the StuG III. The use of StuG IV guns was a considerable support to the weakening German forces on both fronts.
The StuG IV was practically identical to its predecessor, however it was a bit lighter, which in view of the limited resources was a great advantage. In the period between December 1943 and May 1945 over a thousand StuG IVs were built. The gun was proved effective against both Soviet and Allied tanks.
Details:
- WWII German army assault gun
- Features 7.5cm StuK L/48 gun and MG34 machine gun
- Build with hatches open or closed
- Flexible vinyl/rubber tracks
Decals:
17th SS Panzergrenadier Division 'Goetz von Berlichingen', Normandy, 1944
4th SS Polizei Panzergrenadier Division, Eastern Front, 1944
4th SS Polizei Panzergrenadier Division, Greece, 1944
Sturmgeschutz Brigade, Kurland, 1945, 'Elabeth'
Download instructions for this kit here
Academy 1:35 M18 Hellcat (ACA01375)
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Academy 1:35 - M18 Hellcat (ACA01375) - Plastic model kit #13255
The American M18 Hellcat, officially known as the 76 mm Gun Motor Carriage M18, was a tank destroyer actively used by the U.S. troops at the Italian and North-West European fronts during World War II. Due to its light armour, roofless turret and small overall size, the M18 Hellcat was one of the fastest tank destroyers produced in the U.S., and thus gained the reputation of the most efficient American armoured vehicle of World War II.
However, the open turret which provided for the high velocity, could not provide the crew with proper protection against enemy shells. In addition, the 76 mm gun power was not enough to cause any serious damage in German Tiger and Panther tanks. Later, as a solution to this problem, High Velocity Armour Piercing ammunition was added to the Hellcat design thus improving its penetration abilities.
Once the war ended, plenty of M18 tank destroyers were acquired by other countries such as Yugoslavia, China and Venezuela.
Academy 1:35 German King Tiger (Late Production)
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Academy 1:35 - German King Tiger (Late Production) - Plastic model kit #13229
The King Tiger was the informal name used by Allied soldiers for the German Tiger II tank. The official German designation of the tank was Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B. The Tiger II combined the thick armour of Tiger I and the armour sloping of the Panther medium tank. It was a heavy tank and weighed almost 70 tonnes. The Tiger II was armed with 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 anti-tank cannon. It was first used during the Normandy campaign in 1944.
Academy 1:35 - M4A3 76mm US Army "Battle of the Bulge"
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Academy 1:35 - M4A3 76mm US Army "Battle of the Bulge" - Plastic Figure Model Kit #13500
The Medium Tank M4 Sherman was commonly used by the United States and other Western Allies during WWII. The tank was produced in large numbers, with thousands distributed through the Lend-Lease program to the British Commonwealth and Soviet Union. The British called the M4 'Sherman' after the American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman.
During the Second World War, about 19,247 Sherman tanks were issued to the US Army and about 1,114 to the US Marine Corps. Moreover, the U.S. supplied 17,184 tanks to Great Britain, some of which went to the Canadians and the Free Poles. The Soviet Union received 4,102 vehicles and an estimated 812 were transferred to China. These tanks were distributed to the respective countries' allied nations.
The M4A3 was a sub-type of the Sherman tank. It featured a welded hull and was powered by a Ford GAA engine. Its armament consisted of a 76mm cannon and a 12.7mm machine gun. This variant was mainly deployed by the US Army with only a few units sent to France and Nicaragua. A number of these tanks took part at the Battle of Bulge in December 1944.
Check out a step by step video of building this kit here
Download the manual here
Kit details:
- Engine deck, VVSS suspention (late version) and accessories newly tooled
- Main canon and 12.7mm machine gun accurately reproduced
- T48 duckbill tracks included
- Photo-etched parts and 6 marking options included
Academy 1:35 U.S. Tank Destroyer M36B1 GMC
£36.00 GBP
Academy 1:35 - U.S. Tank Destroyer M36B1 - Plastic model kit #13279
The M36 tank destroyer, also known as the '90mm Gun Motor Carriage - M36', was an American tank destroyer used during World War II. The M36 was essentially an improved M10, replacing the M10's 3 inch (76.2mm) M7 with a more powerful 90mm gun.
The vehicle first began to appear in September 1944 in European Operations. About 1,400 M36's were produced in total during the war. The requirement for 90mm gunned tank destroyers was so urgent that during late 1944, 187 conversions of the standard Medium Tank M4A3 (Sherman tank) hulls were produced by Grand Blanc Arsenal. These were designated M36B1, rushed to operations and used in combat alongside other M36's.
The M36 proved to be a match for any German tanks. It also later saw use in the Korean War, and was able to defeat any of the Soviet made tank armour it faced. Some were supplied to Korea as part of the MAP (Military Assistance Program), others served in Yugoslavia, which operated into the 1990s, two remained in service with the Republic of China Army until 2001.
American soldiers referred to M36's as TD's or 'tank destroyers'. The US Army assigned the nickname Jackson in 1944 to honour the Civil War Confederate General, but this name did not stick during the war, only becoming popular later in the 1970s.
Kit details:
10 plastic sprues
1 small photo-etched fret
1 length of string
1 small decal sheet
Instruction Sheet
Academy 1:35 Tiger I Early Operation Citadel
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Academy 1:35 - Tiger I Early Operation Citadel - Plastic model kit #13509
The German heavy tank Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E or Tiger I was the first German AFV to mount the 88mm KwK 36 gun. The Tiger I was produced from 1942 until 1944 with 1347 tanks built in total. The tank weighed around 56 tons and apart from the 88 mm KwK 36 was armed with two 7.92mm MG 34's.
After the Germans had encountered the Soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks during Operation Barbarossa, it was decided to build a heavy and powerful tank to combat those vehicles. When the first Tiger I's were used on the battlefield, the tank was still at the prototype stage and a number of changes were made to the design over the course of production. The early Tiger I's were used in 1942 near Leningrad and many of those vehicles and transmission problems due to the vehicle's weight. The Soviets managed to capture one of the first Tigers which had been stuck in the ground and abandoned by its crew, and used it to study the design.
After Leningrad, in 1943 units operating at Kharkov received early Tiger tanks, and following that a great concentration of Schwere Panzer-Abteilung's was prepared for Operation Citadel. Operation Citadel - the German offensive against the Soviet army in Kursk - began on the 5th of July 1943 and became the final strategic offensive that Germany launched on the Eastern Front.
The following markings are provided:
8th SS Pz. Abt. 'Das Reich', Kursk, Russia, July 1943
9th SS Pz. Abt. 'Totenkopf', Kursk, Russia, July 1943
Pz. Abt. 503, Kursk, Russia, July 1943
Download instructions for this kit here
Academy 1:35 M60A2 US Army
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Academy 1:35 - M60A2 US Army - Plastic model kit #13296
The M60A2 was an updated version of the M60 Patton main battle tank developed by the USA in the Cold War era. Redesigned many times during its term of service, the M60 series was popular with the US Army and among US Cold War allies.
Appearing during the 'Space Age', the M60A2 got the nickname 'Starship'. The tank was equipped with a 152 mm gun which could fire both artillery shells and the Shillelagh antitank missiles. It also had a machine-gun cupola giving it a good view on the battlefield.
Nevertheless, the M60A2 showed poor results in combat and was quickly replaced by its later modifications.
Academy 1:35 German Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer (Early production version)
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Academy 1:35 - German Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer (Early production version) - Plastic model kit #13278
The Jagdpanzer 38 (Sd.Kfz. 138/2), later known as the Hetzer ("pursuer/hunter"), was a German light tank destroyer, based on a modified Czechoslovakian Panzer 38(t) chassis, inspired by the Romanian "Mareşal" tank destroyer.
The Jagdpanzer 38 was a common late-war German tank destroyer. It was produced in relatively large numbers and was for the most part mechanically reliable. The tank first entered service in July 1944. Armed with the 7.5cm PaK 39 L48 main gun with limited traverse and featured sloped armour on its very low profile. An MG34 was mounted to the vehicle roof. It was well liked by crews, fairly reliable and concealable. Drawbacks were that it was very cramped inside the tank, had limited ammo and very thin armour. It was first used in the field in July of 1944 and would go on to serve on both fronts. Approximately 2,800 were built. The name Hetzer was unofficial and used by German troops in the field, then adopted by post war publications.
Due to the large number produced, the Jagdpanzer 38 is probably the most abundant WWII German tank destroyer remaining today.
If you need a preview or replacement PDF copy of the instructions manual for this kit please contact us.
Academy 1:35 - M36/M36B2 "Battle of the Bulge"
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Academy 1:35 - M36/M36B2 US Army "Battle of the Bulge" - Plastic Figure Model Kit #13501
The American tank destroyer M36 was designed in 1943 when the US Army needed a powerful vehicle to combat German Panther and Tiger tanks. This new tank was nicknamed "Jackson" in reference to the Confederate General of the Civil War, Stonewall Jackson. The M36's turret mounted the 90 mm gun M3 allowing the tank to nail down any known German tanks at 1000 to 2500m range depending on the armour thickness. However, due to its open-top turret the tank was vulnerable to shell fragments and snipers. Field modifications, particularly additional roof iron plating, were hastily performed by the crews. Later on folding panels were developed for protection against shell fragments, these were adopted by the M36B2.
Kit details:
- Can be built as M36 or M36B2
- 90mm main gun
- .50 caliber machine gun
- Over 600 plastic parts
- Photo-etched parts included
- Detailed driver's station
- Detailed hull interior with crew and ammo stowage
- Detailed turret interior including stowage and gun breech
The following markings are provided:
- M36, US Army 82nd Airborne Div, Belgium, 1944
- M36, US Army 703rd TD, Belgium, 1944
- M36, US Army 2nd Cavalry, Germany 1945
- M36B2, ROK Army, 53rd Tank Company, 1953
- M36B2, France Régiment Blindé Colonial d'Extrême-Orient, Tonkin, 1951
- M36B2, France Régiment Blindé Colonial d'Extrême-Orient, Tonkin, 1953
Download the manual here
Academy 1:35 - M3 Stuart "Honey" British version (Replaces ACA01399)
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Academy 1:35 - M3 Stuart "Honey" British version (Replaces ACA01399) - Plastic Model Kit #13270
The M3 Stuart was an American light tank that had been delivered to British forces by the US Government during WWII, before the Americans officially entered the war. Subsequently it was deployed by the Allies until the capitulation of Germany.
"Stuart" was a nickname given in reference to James Stuart, an American Confederate States Army general of the Civil War. When a British tankman saw the tank for the first time, he remarked "She's a honey". That name stuck and in British service the M3 was often referred to as "Honey".
Compared to the previous Light Tank M2, the Stuart had an improved suspension, better gun recoil mechanism and thicker armour, unusual for a light tank. The vehicle was armed with a 37mm M5 gun (which was later replaced with a longer M6 version) and a several Browning machine guns. The tank production lasted from 1941 to 1943.
In 1941 the British army had 700 Stuart tanks in service, 170 of which were deployed in Operation Crusader in North Africa. Though Stuarts surpassed most of the Axis tanks in many respects, the operation was unsuccessful due to the poor tactics of British troops.
In the following years the British usually avoided using Stuarts in tank-to tank fights, deploying them mostly in reconnaissance operations. In some cases the turret was removed for the sake of lighter weight and better mobility (such versions were known as "Stuart Recce"), some other units were transformed to either armoured personnel carriers ("Stuart Kangaroo") or command vehicles ("Stuart Command"). The M3 served with the British army till the end of the war, though in smaller numbers than those used by the Americans.
Academy 1:35 US Army M1A2 TUSK II Limited Edition
£55.00 GBP
Academy 1:35 - US Army M1A2 TUSK II Limited Edition - Plastic model kit #13504
The M1 Abrams is a modern U.S. 3rd-generation main battle tank in service since 1980. The M1 is used by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, as well as the armies of Iraq, Egypt, Australia, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. There are three main versions of the M1: the M1, M1A1, and M1A2. The M1A2 features a number of improvements compared to previous versions, including a commander's independent thermal viewer, position navigation equipment, weapon station, an improved cooling system, and digital maps.
Download instructions for this kit here
Option 1:
1st Battalion, 66th Armour Regiment
3rd Armoured Brigade Combat Team
4th Infantry Division, Germany, Feruary 2017
Option 2:
1st Battalion, 66th Armour Regiment
3rd Armoured Brigade Combat Team
4th Infantry Division, Germany, May 2017
Academy 1:35 U.S. Tank Destroyer M10 GMC
£37.00 GBP
Academy 1:35 - U.S. Tank Destroyer M10 GMC '70th Anniversary of Normandy Invasion, 1944-2014' - Plastic model kit #13288
The M10 was a U.S. tank destroyer of World War II based on the chassis of the M4 Sherman tank fitted with the 3-inch (76.2mm) Gun M7. Previously known as the 3-inch Gun Motor Carriage, M10, it was the most important U.S. tank destroyer of World War II in terms of numbers produced and combined a nearly all-sloped armour adaptation of the Sherman hull and drivetrain, with a potent anti-tank weapon within an open-topped, 360º rotation turret mount for its main armament. This was different to the M3 GMC, whose main armament was capable of only a limited traverse, given that it was essentially an adaptation of a self-propelled artillery platform.
The M10 remained in service until the end of the war and its chassis was later re-employed with a new turret to create the M36 Jackson tank, which used a 90mm gun instead of the 76.2mm.
The M10 was dubbed the Wolverine by British troops, although unlike other vehicle names such as the M4 Sherman, the name was not adopted by American soldiers, who called it TD (a nickname for any tank destroyer in general) beyond its formal designation.
Academy 1:35 Tiger I Gruppe Fehrmann April 1945
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Academy 1:35 - Tiger I Gruppe Fehrmann April 1945 - Plastic model kit #13299
The Tiger I, a German heavy tank of the Second World War, was deployed from 1942 in Africa and Europe commonly in independent heavy tank battalions. The Tiger I gave the Wehrmacht its first armoured fighting vehicle that used the KwK 36 88-mm gun. In total 1,347 were built between August 1942 and August 1944.
The Gruppe Fehrmann was formed at the beginning of 1945 with the intention of going into the Ruhr area. It included six Tiger I and five Panther tanks. The Tiger tanks were commanded by Oberleutnant Ferhmann and were designated with 'F' to denote their 'Gruppe' commander.
Academy 1:35 German Pz. Kpfw. VI Tiger I (Mid production version)
£44.00 GBP
Academy 1:35 - German Pz. Kpfw. VI Tiger I (Mid production version) '70th Anniversary of Normandy Invasion, 1944-2014' - Plastic model kit #13287
The Tiger I, a German heavy tank of World War II, was deployed from 1942 in Africa and Europe commonly in independent heavy tank battalions with the designation Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E often shortened to Tiger. The Tiger I gave the Wehrmacht its first armoured fighting vehicle that used the KwK 36 88-mm gun. In total 1,347 were built between August 1942 and August 1944. Production was over time phased out in favour of the Tiger II.
The Tiger I has been called an excellent design for its time, however it was over-engineered, using expensive materials and labour-intensive production methods. The Tiger was prone to some types of track failures and breakdowns, and had limited range given its high fuel consumption. It was expensive to run, but normally mechanically reliable. It was also difficult to transport, and vulnerable to immobilisation when mud, ice and snow froze between its overlapping and interleaved Schachtellaufwerk-pattern road wheels, often causing them to jam. This was a problem on the Eastern Front in the muddy rasputitsa (semi-annual mud seasons) and winter weather conditions.
The tank was named "Tiger" by Ferdinand Porsche, and the Roman numeral was added after the later Tiger II entered production. The early designation was Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausführung H (‘‘Panzer VI version H’’, abbreviated PzKpfw VI Ausf. H) where 'H' denoted Henschel as the designer/manufacturer. It was given ordnance inventory designation SdKfz 182. The tank was later redesignated as PzKpfw VI Ausf. E in March 1943, with ordnance inventory designation SdKfz 181.
Tigers had a crew of 5. They could travel up to 23mph on roads and were powered by the Maybach 21, 353cc V-12 engines that delivered 642hp.
Academy 1:35 - US M3A1 Stuart Light Tank (Replaces ACA01398)
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Academy 1:35 - US M3A1 Stuart Light Tank (Replaces ACA01398) - Plastic Model Kit #13269
The M3 Stuart was an American light tank delivered to British forces by the US Government during WWII, before the Americans officially entered the war. Subsequently it was deployed by the Allies until the capitulation of Germany.
"Stuart" was a nickname given in reference to James Stuart, an American Confederate States Army general of the Civil War. Compared to the previous Light Tank M2, the Stuart had an improved suspension, better gun recoil mechanism and thicker armour, unusual for a light tank. The vehicle was armed with a 37mm M5 gun (which was later replaced with a longer M6 version) and several Browning machine guns. The tank production lasted from 1941 to 1943.
The M3A1 was an American variant of the Stuart, also referred to as the Stuart III. Its production started in 1942 and within the following year over 4,000 units were built. The M3A1 featured a redesigned turret with a turret basket and no cupola. Machine guns were excluded from the design, however a gun stabilizer was installed for better aiming.
Includes:
- 732 parts
- Upper hull, lower hull and turret
- Individual track links
- Rubber-band track sets
- Fibre cord
- Decal sheet
Decal options:
- M3A1 Stuart, US Army (1775-Now), 3 Platoon, company C 1 Armoured Battalion, 1 Armoured Division, World War II, Tunisia TN, December 1942, olive drab
- M3A1 Stuart, US Marine Corps (1798-Now), 3 Marine Tank Battalion Painintheass, World War II, Bouganville, November 1942, olive drab
- M3A1 Stuart, US Marine Corps (1798-Now), 3 Marine Tank Battalion The Pay Off, Bouganville, November 1942, olive drab
- M3A1 Stuart, SU Military Soviet Army, World War II, 1943
- M3A1 Stuart, SU Military Soviet Army, World War II, Voronez (summer), 1942
You can download the instruction sheets here.
Academy 1:35 - T-34/85 No. 112 Factory Production
£33.00 GBP
Academy 1:35 - T-34/85 Factory Production Version - Plastic Model Kit #13290
Perfect as a Berlin Assault tank or a Korean War unit. The T-34/85 entered production in 1944 as an improvement over the T-34/76. It featured heavier armour to withstand the increased firepower of the latest German tanks, a larger turret to house the new 85mm S-53 main gun, and internal stowage for 56 rounds of ammunition. The T34/85 was also equipped with 2x 7.62mm machine guns. Powered by a 12 cylinder diesel engine, the T-34/85 could move at speeds of up to 55 kph.
The T-34 was a Soviet medium tank that is generally considered as having had significant impact on tank design and development. The T-34 is often credited as the most effective, efficient and influential tank design of the Second World War. At the time of it's initial deployment he T-34 had an impressive combination of armament, speed, armour and toughness. The T-34 was armed primarily with a 76.2 mm (3 in) high-velocity gun which provided a substantial increase in firepower over any of its contemporaries; its heavy sloped armour was difficult to penetrate by most anti-tank weapons of the period. When first encountered in 1941, the German tank general von Kleist called it "the finest tank in the world" and Heinz Guderian confirmed the T-34's "vast superiority" over existing German armour of the time.
The T-34 was the primary vehicle of the Soviet armoured forces throughout World War II. The design allowed it to be constantly refined to meet the changing needs of the Eastern Front conflict: as the war progressed it became more capable, but also quicker and cheaper to produce. The Soviet Union would eventually produce more than 80,000 T-34s (all variants), allowing more and more to be deployed as the war continued despite losing great numbers to the Wehrmacht. The development of the T-34 led directly to the T-54 and T-55 series of tanks, which in turn evolved into the T-62, T-72, and T-90 that form the armoured mainstay of many modern armies. T-34 variants were widely exported after World War II and up to 1996 were still in service in at least 27 countries.
Features and options:
Detailed spring suspension in hull
Link and length track for ease of assembly/painting
Hull details including spare track links, fuel cells, stowage
Choice of circa 1945 or circa 1950 turret
Casting detail captured on turret surface
Choice of tall or short Commanders cupola
Positionable crew hatches
Markings are provided for six examples:
T-34/85, 904, Berlin, Germany, May 1945
T-34/85, M08, Berlin, Germany, May 1945
T-34/85, Yugoslavia, 1945
T-34/85, 738, North Korean Army, 1950
T-34/85, 229, North Korean Army, 1950
T-34/85, 'Knocked Out 20 July 1950 Under the Supervision of Major General WF Dean'
Academy 1:35 - T-34/76 No. 183 Factory Production
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Academy 1:35 - T-34/76 No. 183 Factory Production - Plastic Model Kit #13505
The Soviet medium tank T-34 was the most produced tank of WWII that replaced many light and medium tanks in service with the Red Army. The initial version of the T-34 was equipped with a powerful 76.2 mm gun, and is often called the T-34/76.
Most of these tanks were produced at Factory No.183 which in September 1941 was evacuated from its original location in Kharkiv to Nizhniy Tagil when it became clear that Kharkiv was in danger of falling to the Germans. Factory No.183 in Nizhniy Tagil (Uralskiy Tankovyj Zavod, Ural Tank Factory) produced just over 15 thousand of the T-34/76 tanks. By the end of WWII, T-34's comprised at least 55% of the Soviet tank production. In the beginning of the war this figure was 4%.
When Germany launched the invasion of the Soviet Union, the T-34 was superior to any German tank and destroying T-34's in combat proved to be very difficult. However, the Red Army had still lost large numbers of these new tanks in 1941 due to the tactical and operational skills of the Germans as well as mechanical breakdowns which accounted for at least 50% of Soviet tank losses at the time. In the following years the T-34 saw a number of improvements while Germany continued to develop anti-tank guns capable of penetrating the T-34's armour. By 1943, the 76.2 mm gun was unable to penetrate the armour of the new German tanks and the Soviet Union began the production of the improved version of the T-34, the T-34/85.
Markings are provided for five options:
T-34/76, Unidentified Unit, Prokhorovka, July 1943
T-34/76, 264th Armoured Brigade, Ukraine, December 1943
T-34/76, Unidentified Unit, Kursk, July 1943
OT-34/76, Unidentified Unit, Pskov, Recovered in 2006
OT-34/76, Unidentified Unit, Unknown Area
Tank dimensions: Height 73 mm, Length 193 mm
Box size: 403 x 264 x 68 mm
Download the instruction manual here.
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