M10 Achilles Mk.IIC British 1st Army Corps, Normandy, 1944 (1:72)

On June 6, 1944 more than 130,000 troops, 5,000 ships and 12,000 aircraft from Canada, the United Kingdom and the USA assaulted 50 miles of beach at Normandy France. As part of the invasion the British 2nd Army under General Dempsey came ashore. One section, the British 1st Corps under the control of General Crocker landed with Canadian troops on Juno beach. The men and tanks quickly pushed inland and at the end of day one found themselves 10 miles inland. Another section of the British 1st Corps landed at Sword beach.

The US M10 was the most produced US tank destroyer of WWII. The British M10s were called Achilles IIC because of the modification of the main gun from a 3 inch gun to a quick-firing British 17 Pounder. The conversions took place at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. The Mk. IC had a diesel engine while the Mk. IIC had a gasoline engine. Even the gun of the Mk. IIC was having difficulty against the heavy armor of the German Panthers and Tigers. Gradually the M36 Jackson with its heavier armor began to take over from the M10 and Achilles.

Specifications Achilles Mk. IIC

Crew: 5

Dimensions
Length: 7.27 m (284 inches)
Width: 3.05 m (119 inches)
Height: 2.82 m (110 inches)

Weight: 30.000 kg (66.000 lb.)

Mechanics
Engine - 1 X 12-cylinder, GM M6046 (2 X 6-cylinder GM, type 6-71), 13.931 cm3 (850 cubic inches) displacement, air cooled, GM fuel injection
Horsepower - 210 ea. at 2.100 rpm
Fuel type - Diesel
Fuel capacity - 624 liter (137 gallons)
Transmission - 5-speed
Electrical system - 24 V
Brakes - Mechanical

Performance
Fording depth - without preparation: 1.00 m (39 inches)
Range - 225 km (140 miles)

Armour - 10 - 41 mm
Armament - 1 X British 76 mm gun with 50 rounds
1 X 12.7 mm (cal. .50) machine-gun with 420 rounds

Radio - 1 X SCR-508