In August 1944, as the Allied breakout rolled east, Hitler ordered a counterstroke at Mortain to cut the American spearhead off from the coast. The 30th Infantry Division and the guns of the 823rd Tank Destroyer Battalion — the unit marked on this vehicle — stood in the way. For six days they held, the M10s dueling Panthers among the hedgerows while a surrounded battalion clung to Hill 314. The M10 was America's first purpose-built tank destroyer: a 3-inch gun in an open-topped turret on a Sherman chassis, its doctrine favoring speed and a fast-traversing gun over armor. The open top bought vision — and left the crew exposed to shrapnel and snipers.

The set builds out the vehicle as a lived-in centerpiece: the M10 with its 3-inch gun and open turret, a .50 cal for close defence, two crew figures, a scale antenna and rope, three removable stowage packs of bedrolls and gear, and the orange air-recognition panel and star markings of Normandy 1944. As the anchor of an armor diorama it lines up with the faster M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer and the M4A3 Sherman, 6th Armored, with the U.S. Tankers and Accessories Set to crew and service the column.

W. Britain model 25249. 1/30 scale, matte finish. Multi-piece set — one M10 tank destroyer with two metal crew figures, a .50 cal machine gun, scale antenna, rope, and three removable stowage packs. Boxed.