Michael, this is the kit I'm (still) building for the Sherman GB. I recently wrote a review of it for the nwebsite my club is setting up. Here is an exerpt:
It is to be expected that Academy would produce this kit from their existing M10 moulds but a comparison of the kit to reference material quickly shows errors, some significant, are evident:
• The US M10 tubed stowed ammunition has been included for use in the Achilles interior. The British 17 pounder rounds were never stowed in tubes, the rounds were placed head to toe in racks in the sponson sides;
• The 17 pounder gun muzzle is too small and aftermarket barrel will be required to correct this obvious error;
• The interior turret wall stowage is incorrect, several items are missing and a wire spool, never fitted to the vehicle is provided;
• The spent shell shield for the 17 pounder gun is too wide, and the support rails and paddle shaped panels extend too far. If used as is, the third turret seat will not be able to be fitted as the shield would strike it in use. Whilst Academy provide the seat, their instructions omit the seat altogether. References clearly show the correct shape of the shield and all 3 seats fitted to Achilles vehicles.
• Stowage of pioneer tools is wrong (the rear hull plate has outlines of where Academy expects the tools to be placed, necessitating removal with sharp knife and sandpaper);
• British pattern external fire extinguishers and first aid box for rear hull are not provided;
• The US pattern water canteens are provided for fitting to the interior wall. The British pattern were issued to British Tank destroyer troops;
• The fire extinguisher attached to the rear wall of the fighting compartment was relocated to the turret wall on British vehicles; and
• The 2 sets of 3 ready rounds for the rear of the turret are all AP rounds, not the correct 3 AP on the right and 3 HE on the left (facing rearwards).
• The kit comes with 2 sets of decals. The Savio River vehicle version is incorrect, the longboat being completely out of shape. Concord Productions 'Allied Tank destroyers' has a photo of a British M10 showing these markings, but on the rear of the vehicle not the front as per kit instructions. The second set of decals are for a Canadian vehicle in Holland. The red and blue colours on the RA badges are far two light on the review sample, but a second set obtained from a friend is darker, but still not dark enough.
If you want a full copy of my review, drop me an email.