Achilles

The Achilles was a British variant of the American M10 tank destroyer. Whereas the M10 was armed with a 3-inch gun, Achilles was armed with the much more potent QF 17-pounder high-velocity anti-tank gun. A total of 1,100 M10s were converted to Achilles, making it the second most numerous armoured fighting vehicle to carry the 17-pounder gun, behind the Sherman Firefly tank.

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IN 20MM?

You have several Achilles to choose from in 20mm (1/72 and 1/76) depending on the build, detail and price point you’re seeking. These include Amercom, Armourfast, Milicast, Raventhorpe ReadytoRoll, SHQ (1/76), Unimodels, and of course 3D printing.

I’ve gone for the Armourfast Achilles, along with a stowage set from S&S Models. 

BUILD AND DETAILING

The kit goes together very quickly, and consists of only 15 parts. It’s not an especially detailed model but once stowage and crew have been added, as with most of the Armourfast kits, it looks much better.

PAINT SCHEME

I’ve followed broadly the same technique as noted here for British SCC15 https://wargamedespatches.co.uk/2023/04/09/ww2-british-scc15-mix/

DECALS

Any regular visitors will know I’m a big fan of decals from Dan Taylor Modelworks, and for this kit I’ve used the Sword Beach Vehicles set. 

These markings represent an M10 which landed on Sword Beach during the morning of 6th June, of 20th Anti Tank Regiment.

It was at this point I realised my mistake; I’d built a 17pdr Achilles rather than the M10! I don’t think any 17pdr versions landed on DDay with 20th Anti Tank Regiment.

Sssshh no one will notice…