Academy 1/35 U.S. Army M36/M36B2 Jackson Battle of the Bulge Tank Destroyer – ACD13501

Academy 1/35 U.S. Army M36/M36B2 Jackson Battle of the Bulge Tank Destroyer Model Kit – ACD13501

Recreate one of the most important American tank destroyers of World War II with the Academy 1/35 M36/M36B2 Jackson "Battle of the Bulge" plastic model kit (ACD13501). This detailed military armor kit represents the powerful 90 mm gun motor carriage developed to give U.S. Army tank destroyer units greater firepower against heavily armored German vehicles during the final stages of the war.

Academy's M36/M36B2 kit provides parts for building either the original M36 Jackson or the later M36B2 variant. Featuring a detailed open-top turret, 90 mm main gun, interior crew compartments, optional vehicle components, flexible tracks, and photo-etched details, this 1/35 scale model offers an extensive construction project for military armor enthusiasts.

With six historical marking options covering World War II U.S. Army vehicles and postwar French and South Korean service, the Academy M36/M36B2 is an excellent addition to collections of American tank destroyers, WWII armored vehicles, and historical military equipment.

Academy M36/M36B2 Jackson Model Kit Features

• 1/35 scale American M36 and M36B2 Jackson tank destroyer
• Academy manufacturer part number 13501
• Parts to build either the M36 or M36B2 variant
• Detailed 90 mm M3 main gun and gun breech assembly
• Turret-mounted .50 caliber machine gun
• Realistic open-top turret with detailed fighting compartment
• Detailed driver's and assistant driver's positions
• Interior ammunition storage and crew compartment details
• Newly tooled upper hull and transmission cover components
• Optional gasoline- or diesel-engine deck configurations appropriate to the selected variant
• Detailed suspension, road wheels, and drive sprockets
• Flexible one-piece tracks
• Positionable crew hatches
• Choice of muzzle brake and selected exterior fittings
• Photo-etched metal parts for additional exterior detailing
• Exterior tools, towing equipment, and vehicle stowage details
• Six historical marking options for U.S., French, and South Korean vehicles
• Waterslide decals and illustrated assembly instructions
• Unassembled plastic model kit requiring glue and paint

History of the American M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer

The M36 Jackson, officially designated the 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage M36, was developed to provide American tank destroyer units with greater armor-piercing capability than the earlier M10 Wolverine.

Although the M10 had proven effective against many German armored vehicles, the increasing appearance of heavily armored tanks such as the Panther and Tiger created a need for a more powerful anti-tank weapon.

The M36 addressed this requirement by combining a newly designed turret with a 90 mm M3 gun. The original M36 used a modified M10A1 hull, retaining much of the proven running gear and general vehicle arrangement while introducing significantly improved firepower.

Entering combat during the latter half of 1944, the M36 became an important component of American armored operations in Western Europe.

M36 Jackson and M36B2 Tank Destroyer Differences

One of the most appealing features of Academy kit 13501 is the ability to construct either the M36 Jackson or the M36B2 using the included variant-specific parts.

The original M36 was based on the M10A1 chassis, which used a gasoline-powered Ford engine. The M36B2 was produced using the diesel-powered M10 chassis, derived from the M4A2 Sherman family.

Although the two vehicles shared the general 90 mm gun turret arrangement, differences in engine decks, exhaust systems, and selected exterior components distinguish the variants.

Academy provides alternate components to reproduce these differences, allowing builders to select the appropriate vehicle configuration for their chosen markings.

The M36B2 also saw postwar service with other nations, making this kit useful for modelers interested in military vehicles beyond World War II.

90 mm M3 Gun and American Anti-Tank Firepower

The M36 Jackson was armed with the powerful 90 mm M3 anti-tank gun, a major improvement over the 3-inch gun carried by the earlier M10 Wolverine.

The 90 mm weapon provided American tank destroyer crews with improved capability against heavily armored German vehicles. Although armor penetration still depended on range, ammunition, and impact angle, the M36 was better equipped to engage tanks such as the Panther and Tiger than its predecessor.

The vehicle also carried a .50 caliber machine gun for additional defensive capability against infantry and other threats.

Academy's model reproduces the distinctive 90 mm main gun, gun breech, and open-top turret arrangement, providing opportunities for detailed interior painting and finishing.

M36 Jackson During the Battle of the Bulge

The Battle of the Bulge, fought from December 1944 into January 1945, was one of the largest battles involving American forces in the European Theater during World War II.

German forces launched a major offensive through the Ardennes region, attempting to break through Allied positions and disrupt the advance toward Germany.

American tank destroyer units played an important defensive role during the fighting, using their mobility and anti-tank firepower to counter German armored attacks.

The M36 Jackson's 90 mm gun provided valuable firepower against heavily armored enemy vehicles, while its turreted design allowed crews to engage targets without repositioning the entire vehicle.

The Academy kit's World War II U.S. Army marking options make it especially suitable for a late-1944 European Theater display or a winter battlefield diorama inspired by the Ardennes campaign.

Six Historical M36 and M36B2 Marking Options

Academy's 1/35 M36/M36B2 Jackson includes waterslide decals for six historical vehicle appearances:

• M36 – U.S. Army, 703rd Tank Destroyer Battalion: Belgium, 1944.
• M36 – U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division: Belgium, December 1944.
• M36 – U.S. Army, 2nd Cavalry: Germany, March 1945.
• M36B2 – Republic of Korea Army, 53rd Tank Company: Korea, 1953.
• M36B2 – French Army, Régiment Blindé Colonial d'Extrême-Orient: Tonkin, 1951.
• M36B2 – French Army, Régiment Blindé Colonial d'Extrême-Orient: Tonkin, 1953.

These marking options allow builders to represent the M36 during the final stages of World War II or the M36B2 during postwar military operations in Asia.

Each option offers different opportunities for historically appropriate markings, equipment configurations, and weathering effects.

Detailed Interior, Open Turret, and Photo-Etched Parts

Academy's M36/M36B2 Jackson provides extensive interior and exterior detailing for modelers who enjoy more involved military vehicle projects.

The kit includes detailed crew positions, ammunition stowage, a gun breech, and interior fighting compartment components. The open-top turret allows much of this detailing to remain visible on the completed model.

Photo-etched parts provide additional detail, including optional headlight guards. Flexible tracks simplify construction while retaining the characteristic appearance of the vehicle's tracked running gear.

Alternate engine decks, exhaust configurations, and other components support the construction of either the M36 or M36B2 variant.

Positionable hatches and exterior stowage accessories offer further opportunities to customize the completed tank destroyer.

Painting and Weathering a 1/35 Scale M36 Jackson

The Academy M36 Jackson is an excellent subject for modelers interested in American World War II armor painting and realistic battlefield weathering.

U.S. Army tank destroyers commonly carried an Olive Drab base finish, accompanied by tactical markings, vehicle identification numbers, and white recognition stars.

For a Battle of the Bulge-themed model, builders can add appropriate winter weathering effects such as accumulated mud, road grime, snow deposits, and worn paint. Historical reference photographs can help establish the appropriate appearance for the selected vehicle.

Additional techniques such as pin washes, dry brushing, dust effects, metallic track wear, and subtle paint chipping can enhance the model's suspension, tracks, gun assembly, and exterior equipment.

The completed M36 Jackson makes an excellent companion to other American armored vehicles, including the M4 Sherman, M10 Wolverine, M18 Hellcat, and M26 Pershing.

Explore additional American tanks, German armored vehicles, tank destroyers, and military modeling subjects in our Academy Tank & Military Armor Model Kits collection.

Complete Your Academy M36/M36B2 Jackson Model Kit

This Academy 1/35 scale military armor kit requires assembly and painting. Plastic model cement, paints, and hobby tools are sold separately.

For authentic U.S. Army Olive Drab colors, primers, clear coats, washes, pigments, and weathering supplies, browse our model paints and hobby painting supplies.

Discover additional military tanks, armored vehicles, aircraft, ships, and historical modeling subjects in our Academy Models collection, or explore our complete plastic model kits collection at Fusion Scale Hobbies.