Hobby Master 1-72 Ground Power
HG5404 M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer Regiment Blinde Colonial Extreme Orient (RBCEO), Tonkin, French Indochina, 1953

The M36 Jackson GMC (Gun Motor Carriage) was a tank destroyer developed by first using the standard M10 chassis with a new open-top turret capable of handling a larger 90 MM M3 gun. The open-top reduces weight and allows for better observation but like the M10 leaves the crew exposed to enemy fire. To offset the weight of the 90 mm gun a bustle counterweight was added were produced in 3 variants.

The first Indochina War started in 1946 and ended in 1954. It was a war of independence for Vietnam from France and mostly fought in North Vietnam (Tonkin). The French were worried that China might intervene and supply heavy tanks so they brought in their M36B2 Jackson’s that had folding hatches on top of the turret to protect the crew. These M36B2 were operated by Regiment Blinde Colonial d’Orient (RBCEO) whose insignia was a white knight’s helmet and cannons over a yellow anchor.

M36 Jackson 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage Specifications
3 Variants
M36, Jackson M36B1, Jackson M36B2, Jackson
Manufacturers
M36 Fisher Tank Arsenal, Ford Motor Co., Massey Harris Co., American Locomotive Co., Montreal Locomotive Works M36B1 and M36B2 American Locomotive Co., Montreal Locomotive Works
Role and Chassis Used
M36 - Tank Destroyer (based on M10A1 GMC) M36B1 - Tank Destroyer (based on M4A3(75)W Sherman) M36B2 - Tank Destroyer (based on M10 GMC)
Production
M36 – 1,413 (April 1944 – July 1945) M36B1 - 187 (October 1944 – December 1944) M36B2 - 724 (April 1945 – May 1945)
Crew - All 3 variants
5 Commander - Turret - Rear-right corner Gunner - Turret - Front-right corner Loader - Turret - Rear-left corner Driver - Hull - Front-right corner Assistant driver - Hull - Front-left corner
Weights
M36 - Combat 63,930 lbs (29,000 kg) M36B1 - Combat 68,340 lbs (31,000 kg) M36B2 - Combat 64,150 lbs (29,100 kg)
Dimensions
M36 - Length without guns 19.59 ft (5.97 m) M36B1 - Length without gun & with sand shields 20.67 ft (6.30 m) M36B2 - Length without guns 19.59 ft (5.97 m)
M36 - Gun overhang 4.89 ft (1.49 m) M36B1 - Gun overhang without muzzle brake 3.84 ft (1.17 m) M36B2 - Gun overhang 4.89 ft (1.49 m)
M36 - Length with gun 24.48 ft (7.46 m) M36B1 - Length with gun 24.51 ft (7.47 m) M36B2 - Length with gun 24.48 ft (7.46 m)
M36 - Width 10.01 ft (3.05m) M36B1 - Width with sand shields 8.76 ft (2.67 m) M36B2 - Width 10.01 ft (3.05m)
All 3 variants Height to top of AA Machine-Gun 3.28 m
Armament
All 3 variants 90 mm Main Gun M3, M4 mount in turret with 47 rounds (11 ready) .50cal (12.7 mm) M2HB Machine-Gun, Mount: Flexible in turret AA mount with 1,000 rounds
M36B1 also has
1 - .30cal (7.62 mm) M1919A4 Machine-Gun Ball mount on the front upper armor plate with 1,000 rounds
All 3 variants also carry 5 - .30cal Carbines M1 with 450 rounds 12 - grenades 4 - smoke pots
Powerplant
M36 and M36B1 1 - Ford GAA, V8 cyl., 18.0L of displacement, 450-500 hp @ 2,600 rpm Fuel - Gasoline (727 L) Transmission - Synchromesh, 5 forward speeds & 1 reverse speed
M36B2
2 - General Motors 6046, 12 cyl. (6/engine), 2 cycles, twin in-line, 13.9 L of displacement, 375- 410 hp @ 2,100-2,900 rpm Fuel - Diesel (625L) Transmission - Synchromesh, 5 forward speeds & 1 reverse speed
Performance M36 and M36B1 Maximum Speed on road – 26 mph (42 km/h) Range on road – 154.7 miles (249 km)
M36B2 Maximum Speed on road – 24.9 mph – 29.8 mph (40-48 km/h) Range on road – 200 miles (322 km)