Early M18 Hellcat U.S. Tank Destroyer

The M18 Hellcat was a tank destroyer developed and deployed by the United States Army during the various fronts of World War II and the Korean War later. Equipped with the same main gun as some variants of the much larger Sherman tanks, the M18 sacrificed its heavy armour and turret roof to attain a much lighter, higher top speed of up to 89 km/h with its Continental 9-cylinder radial engine. 

Gaining speed with its heavy main gun, the Hellcat was considered as the most effective U.S. tank destroyer of World War II, with a higher kill-to-loss ratio than any other tank or tank destroyer fielded by U.S. forces in World War II. The Hellcats were also committed to fit various roles such as providing direct fire to pushing infantry units in advance, with retro fit Hellcat lower hulls were converted to deploy armoured unitility vehicles known as M39 during the Korean War.

Manned by a crew of 5, the M18 was armed with a 76 mm main gun as well as a turret mounted .50 cal Browning M2HB machine gun, seeing continued service after WW2 with some other countrie’s hybrid M18 units 1995.

Tamiya Early M18 Hellcat U.S. Tank Destroyer features:

• Highly detailed kit with crisp details.
• Highly detailed lower hull with subtle armour cast texture and grills.
• Partial lower hull interior with flooring and ammunition racks.
• Highly detailed link and length tracks.
• Highly detailed open turret.
• Highly detailed angled main breah gun and ammunition racks.
• Highly detailed turret mounted M2 heavy machine gun.
• Plenty of accessories including 76mm shells, charges, and MG ammunition cases.
• 1 commander tank figure included.
• Clears parts for headlights.
• Length of nylon rope to depict tow cable.
• 2 marking options.