Clash of Steel: American - M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyers
Clash of Steel: American - M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyers
The M18 76mm GMC tank destroyer was designed by Buick in Detroit, Michigan. Of all the tank destroyer models used by the US Army, the M18 was the only one purpose-built for the TD men, taking aboard feedback in the field.
The number one request was speed, so the M18was designed with a unique suspension system and stripped down to only the minimum armour needed to stop rifle fire. It used the same 9-cylinder engine found in a Sherman tank, but since the M18 weighed only 20 tons compared to the Sherman’s 35 tons, it could race along roads at an impressive 50mph (80km/h). This led to the vehicle’s unofficial nickname, the Hellcat.
Sprinter
Crews made use of the M18's high speed to rapidly outflank enemy tanks and engage their weaker side or rear armour. Moving faster than their enemies' ability to turn their turrets reduced the amount of incoming fire, allowing M18 tank destroyers to maintain an impressive kill-to-loss ratio.
New Ammunition
Armed with the same 76mm gun as some Sherman variants, the Hellcat struggled to defeat some of the newer tanks found on the battlefield. However, the introduction of the High-Velocity, Armor-Piercing round made the Hellcat even more effective when it flanked its enemies.
THIS BOX CONTAINS:
- 3x Highly Detailed Plastic M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyers
These miniatures require assembly and are supplied unpainted.