basco
Now that is a wow’ser!!! usually building airplanes, this will be in my basket for sure.
Now that is a wow’ser!!! usually building airplanes, this will be in my basket for sure.
The Chinese probably know more about it than the US Army does.
Their Type 15 incorporates a lot of M-10 features and looks very, very similar, similar specs and so on, and this was released to the public before the M-10 was.
Pvt. Robert D. Booker and Staff Sgt. Stevon A. Booker
Both died in action.
by mere seconds …
Looks good in forest green.
Wow, the turn-around time to produce a M10 Booker is amazing. I didn’t think I’ll see one made until a few years have passed.
I really like how it comes with the extra roadwheels, tracks, and the anti-sniper microphone antennae.
I’m really tempted to place this in my cart one day.
Great news. It looks like Magic Factory is focusing on recent/newer vehicles/subjects. They are quickly becoming the go-to company for modern stuff.
It is replacing a capability that was lost when the M551 Sheridan was retired. The Sheridan was used in the 82nd ABN as fire support for light units. There was one Bn spread across the Div to do this. When they were retired in the mid-'90s, there was a void for this capability. The M10 is supposed to fill this role for all light divisions. It will be used like an assault gun in WWII; attacking strongpoints, obstacles, etc. in support of infantry on the ground. It is not intended to fight enemy tanks.
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I remember the tried to replace the Sheridan with the FMC M8 Armored Gun System, but the project was cancelled by Congress in 1996 due to budgetary constraints.
A further development of the M8 AGS was the XM1302 Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) testbed, which both BAE and General Dynamics Land Systems “Griffin” developed, the General Dynamics model
eventually became the M10 Booker.
BAE Mobile Firepower Platform prototype.
General DYnamics Land Systems Griffin, which was adopted as the M10 Booker.
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The M8 and M10 are totally different vehicles that don’t share a lineage. All they share is the same M35 105mm gun. You have the pictures in order, just not the narrative.
The FMC M8 AGS started in the '80s as a replacement for the M551 Sheridan. It was cancelled in the mid-90s.
Top picture.
A later version of the M8 (XM1302 MPF) was developed by BAE Sytems (who bought FMC) for entry into the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) competition but was not selected.
Middle picture.
The M10 started as the General Dynamics Land Systems Griffin II platform, which is based on an Austrian-Spanish designed family of vehicles known as ASCOD (Austrian Spanish Cooperation Development). This vehicle won the MPF competition and was christened as the M10 Booker. It is supposed to begin fielding at Ft Liberty (Bragg) w/the 82d ABN in 2025.
Bottom picture.
Oh yeah that’s what I thought thanks Gino
A nice looking M8 in Dubois WY.
I think the “Beat up” one at Ft. Moore is getting restored and added to the museum there.
Yes, but the US Army currently doesn’t do LAPES with the C-17. It could be done as the C-17 is rated up to 60 tons for LAPES, but is currently not part of our doctrine due to a lot of accidents and deaths due to attempting LAPES and we currently don’t see a need as we expect to be able to secure forward airfields.
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You can see from this old video filmed at Ft. Bragg, that the plane went in too steep on the angle, unable to correct; the plane slammed into the tarmac, then skidded down the DZ, crashing. three crewmember and one soldier on the ground died in this incident.
Technically anything is, but the trick is surviving the landing! No, the M10 isn’t meant to be pulled from a passing cargo plane, unlike the M551 that was sorta kinda meant to be droppable if you didn’t mind flipping a coin…
The M551 Sheridan was designed to be mainly amphibious, but it was light enough to be air-droppable. It had a weight of only 16 tons. (M-551 TTS), versus the M10 which tips the scales at 38-42 tons, which is just as heavy as an M4 Sherman.
I want one when is it due out?
the M1302?
I got my M1A2 SEP V.3 today the M10 Booker will be a nice compliment to it now all we need is the AMVP series
Yep! Looks beefier IMO than the M10. Look at my previous post, where I posted pics of the M8, the XM1302 and the M10.
Imagine a “what if” with the XM1302 painted in 3-color NATO with 82nd Airborne markings or in British Army markings for… Oh, I dunno, Queen’s Own Royal Lancers, or the King’s Royal Hussars.
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I seen that
I think there are stories written about the competition between the BAE M8 AGS and the GDLS’s M10 Booker MPF.
GDLS won because I think BAE wanted the M8 to still fit inside the C-130 and thus it was very cramped for a MPF…and it needed to have bolt-on armor added. In a crisis situation with RO/RO off the cargo plane, I don’t think the US Army wants to spend the time to add bolt-on armor. Thus, the M8 AGS was lighter than the M10 Booker.
Also, I believe that GDLS was more prepared than the BAE’s M8 AGS for the tests.
This is all from memory so I may be wrong here.
The whole point is to provide light infantry units with more firepower without dealing with big, mechanized infantry issues. The reason the M1128 MGS was put to pasture was, among others, the main gun system was a separate compartment from the rest of the crew, so any stoppages had to be fixed outside of the vehicle; also, the vehicle itself suffered from reliability issues especially with the autoloader of the main gun.
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Okay, I can see that. But I don’t recall the Sheridan being a beloved infantry support vehicle (though it certainly served a good long time). I can’t help but feel the Booker is going to end up being too big for what the transport folks (and the infantry guys) want and too small to be of any use against armed enemies if not buildings. I hope I’m wrong.
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The Sheridan was phased out of active service right after Vietnam with only the 82nd using them all the way into Desert Storm. That’s when the M8 Armored Gun System program started. The 2nd ACR was also looking into the M8 AGS but decided to go with the M3 Bradley CFV instead.
Great story just published on TheWarZone describing how the M10 Booker will be used.
https://www.twz.com/land/how-the-armys-new-m10-booker-light-tank-will-actually-be-used
The Stryker Brigade Combat Team just has soldiers’ small arms, Javelin ATGMs, and .50cal or 40mm automatic grenade launchers on CROWS II mounts…limited firepower for an infantry brigade on 8x8 Strykers (not including the FMTVs, HMMWVs, and JLTVs and other tactical trucks).
Hence the call for 30mm Dragoon Strykers with a Kongsberg remote weapon station for added punch. The Kongsberg RWS doesn’t interfere with the nine-soldier infantry squad. The US Army wanted nine soldiers in the Stryker and hence it didn’t have the 25mm turret like the LAV GEN 3 or USMC LAV-25 because the 25mm autocannon turret basket sits in the hull and doesn’t allow for nine soldiers to fit in the passenger compartment.
Thus, the poor firepower of CROWS II (before CROWS-Javelin) and before 30mm Dragoon necessitates the need for the 105mm Mobile Protected Firepower (winner: M10 Booker Combat Vehicle) to provide better armor protection and to break through resistance that 40mm grenades and 12.7mm bullets cannot. Javelin ATGM can be used as a bunker-buster, but it’s heavy and expensive to transport via foot. Now Dragoon and IM-SHORAD Air Defense Strykers can use their 30mm as well. TOW can be used as a bunker-buster as well, but most times TOW ATGMs are reserved for the anti-tank HMMWV section.
Also, the 82nd will be riding in HMMWVs, JLTVs, and open and unarmored Infantry Squad Vehicles (ISV). While GM Defense has an ISV guntruck variant, there is no indication that the US Army will make the ISV into a FAV, and that is not the primary role of the ISV to begin with.
I emailed HobbyEasy and they said that there is no news on this release just yet.
So the Abrams is our M26 and the Booker is our Sherman tank…kinda.
Kind of…not exactly.
M10 “Booker” is for Airborne and Light Infanty forces. Abrams is for heavy mechanized so the unit structure is different. While these tanks might get cross-attached and traded in the future, I kind of doubt that as the armor protection levels are so vastly different.
I can see Abrams being lended to the Airborne and Light Infantry than “Booker” being lended to the Army’s heavy mechanized armor formations, but this is all hypothetical. M10 “Booker” can cross civilian bridges whereas Abrams is too heavy…so who knows…maybe M10s will indeed work with M2/M3 Bradleys so I just contradicted myself.
Not how they are intended nor how they are supposed to be fielded. As Trisaw points out…
The M10 Booker is intended to replace the long-gone Sheridan for Airborne forces and the Stryker MGS for Stryker/Light forces. The Abrams will still be the Heavy/Mech tank, along w/Brads being the Mech Infantry vehicle for heavy forces. We’ll see how it ends up being used.
My thought go back to logistics. Weight, fuel shipping, bridges etc…This would seem to be important. If the only advantage the Abrams has is armor and a 120mm. The drone thing could reduce the advantages of vertical armor making the Abrams in the same vulnerability league, but a lot heavier. The M1E3 concept is lighter but we are many years away from fielding that. What I see is an interim stopgap vehicle. With a 1000 Bookers you could supply the Air borne, Marines, light infantry divisions and the Calvery. The M1’s would be mostly for armored and heavy infantry divisions.
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Looks like a FV101 on Steroids.
[Chieftain on the XM10] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdPmpidUbWo)
@Gary_Kato Nice video.
A lot about the MPF is Classified such as the number of rounds, armor package and protection, and firing performance capabilities.
The side egress doors are interesting. The tank infantry phone is “a must.”
I can see the US Marines needing this if they ever want to go back to fielding some form of tracked “tank”—or MPF.
I am somewhat surprised that the M10 “Booker” doesn’t have a LP-CROWS II .50cal RWS and some form of active protection. .50cal pintle mount seems good for support AFVs, but not frontline combat MPF. CAD images show a MPF Boomerang anti-sniper microphone stalk and “Iron Fist” APS with RADA radars, but that’s just graphical images.
The M1A2SEP shows how and why the USMC M1A1s are getting so outdated that lead to the divestment by the Marine Corps. The Lt. Colonel in “The Chieftain XM10” video hints that the M10 “Booker” has a laser warning receivers (LWR) if someone shines an IR light at the M10 although I see no LWRs visible around the turret except for video cameras. The M1A2SEPv3 doesn’t even have laser warning receivers…the SEPv4 does.
However, the AbramsX Tech Demonstrator “dislodges” all notions to the M1A2SEPs with a RWS turret, crew in hull, autoloader, four loitering munitions, and 30mm rooftop gun. Any loitering munition or drone will hit an unoccupied turret like the Russian T-14 “Armata.”
It’s Chobham and depleted uranium armor that makes the M1 Abrams so heavy. Chobham armor sandwich is rumored to be so effective that HEAT rounds cannot penetrate at normal engagement ranges on the M1’s frontal arc. But Chobham cannot be rolled…it is armored slabs…so gone are the rounded M48 and M60 steel cast turrets. The exact makeup of Chobham armor is a closely guarded secret and every M1 has Chobham, even the ones sent to Ukraine.
If the turret is damaged the vehicle is more than likely dead lined so a drone strike has the opportunity to sideline the tank regardless of the crew.
From Magic Factory FB:
Last week we have presented our first test shot of M10 BOOKER (Pre production) in Shanghai Summer Scale Model Open Contest.
We are sure it will be release very soon with another ‘U.S combat vehicle’ together, keep follow the M10 and dont forget the following NEWS of our U.S vehicle.
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“See honey? This is a light tank. Not a full size one with all the stuff. So it’s much cheaper and uses a lot less space. I’m trying to model smart these days, spend less money etc, as you know.”
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My garage is built into my house (we have a 4 bedroom colonial) and the garage door leads right into the basement where the stash is. So if I check out how much it’s going for at Scalehobbyist with shipping, give the cash to a club mate, he buys it, then gives it to me at a build day, I can smuggle it into the stash easy.
I also have a trade deal going with Ryan @Tank_1812 that I let him know what kit I want, send him the money, and trade him old kit for new right in front of SWMBO.
I have not tried either yet but confidence is high on both plans.
its like Chicago sang… You’re My Inspiration. 
Not exactly the ending I had in mind. LOL.
Hmm, I wonder what the other combat vehicle is? Could be interesting. I vote for an AMPV.
Thanks, Rob.
Preliminary release in October for around $90 USD in Japan.
China may get it sooner and cheaper.
"The M10 Booker Fighting Vehicle is a tracked armored fighting vehicle being developed under the US Army’s Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) program.
Booker was named after two U.S. Army soldiers who were awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in combat.
Although some media outlets have reported this vehicle as a “light tank,” the Army describes the M10 as a vehicle designed to provide fire support for IBCTs (Infantry Brigade Combat Teams) and to protect them from enemy fire.
Tracks are assembled and movable
The suspension is movable and the height can be adjusted when installed.
Main hatch can be opened or closed
Some towing shackles/towing bars are movable, allowing you to recreate scenes involving cooperation with other vehicles.
Precise reproduction of on-board equipment - Etched parts included
Includes four painting instructions (one of which is a commemorative painting based on the World War II M10 tank destroyer Wolverine)
First production run comes with a metal barrel." —HobbySearch Japan
For those in the US - Andy’s HHQs has it for pre-order of $52.99 USD
Squadron has it for pre-order of $62.99 USD:
Sweden did that in the late 50’ies - early 60’ies with the Strv 103 (S-tank)
We used it for aiming and for sneaking up into ambush positions.
I can easily see this vehicle/ tank/ fire support vehicle mixed in with a column of Bradley’s. It sort of looks like some kin to the Bradley’s especially when they put the ERA armor on it. Any Idea what the ERA package will look like?
Uh-oh! The box art has been revised. This is a pre-production version (it says it twice) of the new chariot of the US Army. At least they give you a warning. Remember the Panda M109A7 was a pre-production version, and no one noticed!
I don’t really know if there are a lot of (or any) external differences with the pre-production version and the ones in actual service. Defense articles said that the main issue with the M10 “Booker’s” testing was that when firing the main gun, cannon fumes would enter the turret, but that has been rectified although they didn’t specify how. (Teslas with BioDefense Mode keep the air pressure in the cabin higher than the outside air so that any leaking air escapes outward instead of coming inward).
The Magic Factory M10 looks pretty close to the actual one that they’re using now. It’s the future versions that will change the M10, such as possibly adding a low-profile CROWS II remote weapon station.
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Btw, they’re available to order from eBay sellers in China. I ordered mine last night.
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I wonder if you can use the 1 piece tracks from the K9 thunder since they are the same as the the bradley tracks on thr booker
I think we have two on Fort Moore, including a ballistics testing sample.
Will you be at the Open House 2 Nov? It includes a model show this time.
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Each LIGHT division will have a BN. The basic fighting unit is a Company of 14, usually ATTACHED or OPCON to the IBCT.
There a NO M2 BRADLEYs in the light divisions.
Think StuG, with a turret, and purpose-built tank-defeating capabilities.
I will.
ALL the crews I’ve seen operating the M10 wore tanker’s coverall, except during admin moves.
Another AHHQ Magic Factory M10 Booker plus the M7A3 and Das Werk SuperBlitz Panther G. Looks like December here.
Good to hear,ordered it on a whim
Give em a call
Yeah! I think that the UK has the same level of priorities on their military procurement like the US. I got to get that off my mind. The British MoD doesn’t spend as much as our DOD. No deep pockets as we have. 
Great points, Jon. I wasn’t going to buy the kit until I saw the tracks. Magic Factory pulls off RFM quality engineering, MF will become a personal favorite!
If the metal pins fit properly it probably won’t be too bad. Annoying to glue half pads together but a least there shouldn’t be any punch marks on the tracks.
Worst case, mine will get tossed into a club raffle if the tracks are badly engineered. If the manufacturer was Dragon, I wouldn’t touch this kit with a ten foot pole.
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I love the optimism! You are correct that it doesn’t look like there are any pin marks to cleanup. So that only leaves 12 sprue attachment points based on the sprue pics to clean-up. Those $60 sprue nippers are probably looking like a good investment…
2000 part kit with 75% devoted to the tracks - not the first company to do this, but definitely doesn’t sound like fun, and I’m the first one who wants more detail and loves adding individual nuts and bolts and rivets.
Reminds me of the Takom Mark IV that came out about ten years ago. Each link was 5 pieces, so about 900 pieces for both tracks. Everyone complained and Takom’s next kits had one piece clickable tracks!
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Don’t worry,
there will be a new set of likes to distribute tomorrow
Let's Build the US Army's New M10 Booker in 1/35 Scale | Mobile Protected Firepower Program
This maybe of interest…
Wow so much good but…
That just looks nasty for a 2024 era kit in my opinion. I can build that sort of mess and have but combined with the nine part track links, looks time intensive.
It’s another shelf queen in the making, my MF Booker’s bound for IPMS Roscoe Turner’s April 2025 model contest’s raffle for disposal.
I’m sure it will be a fantastic kit for many.
YMMV
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Those angular shapes, the bolts on the lower front armour,
the colour of the plastic and the bright coloured parts
made me think: LEGO
Good to see the Ejector Pin Fairy still has a job!
Good to know that I can find a good use for all those scraps of thin styrene I have collected from various youghurt containers. The punch will be put to hard work punching out a sh!tload of styrene discs …
