M18 Hellcat

M18 Hellcat
Country	USA
Role	Tank destroyer
Produced	July 1943 – October 1944
Built	2507

The M18 Hellcat (officially designated the 76 mm Gun Motor Carriage M18 or M18 GMC) was an American tank destroyer of World War II, also used in the Korean War. It was the fastest U.S. tank on the road. The speed was attained by keeping armor to a minimum, using the innovative Torqmatic automatic transmission, and by equipping the relatively light vehicle with the same main gun used on the much larger Sherman tank. The Hellcat was the most effective U.S. tank destroyer of World War II. It had a higher kill to loss ratio than any other tank or tank destroyer fielded by U.S. forces in World War II.

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M18 Hellcat Walk Around
Photographer	Michael Benolkin
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	23

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M18 Hellcat

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General Characteristics and Role

The M18 Hellcat (officially the 76 mm Gun Motor Carriage M18) was an American tank destroyer used during World War II. It was designed to prioritize speed and mobility over armor protection, adhering to the US Army doctrine that tank destroyers should be fast enough to maneuver around and flank heavy enemy tanks. With a top speed of over 80 km/h, the Hellcat was the fastest tracked armored vehicle in service at the time. It featured a powerful 76 mm high-velocity gun in an open-topped turret, making it highly effective against the German Panther and Tiger tanks when employed correctly. Its light armor, however, made it extremely vulnerable to enemy fire.

Property	Typical Value
Role	Tank Destroyer (Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Gun)
National Origin	United States
Manufacturer	Buick (General Motors)
Service Entry	July 1943
Crew	5 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Co-driver)
Length (Gun Forward)	6.68 m (21 ft 11 in)
Width	2.87 m (9 ft 5 in)
Height	2.57 m (8 ft 5 in)
Weight (Mass)	Approx. 17,700 kg (19.5 short tons)

Powerplant and Performance

Engine: Continental R-975-C4 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine.
Power Output: 298 kW (400 hp).
Transmission: Torqmatic automatic transmission.
Maximum Speed: 89 km/h (55 mph) on road (Fastest tank destroyer of the war).
Operational Range: 168 km (105 mi).
Suspension: Torsion bar suspension (unlike the VVSS of the Sherman tank), contributing to its excellent cross-country speed.

Armament and Protection

Primary Armament: 1 x 76 mm M1 high-velocity gun (open-topped turret).
Ammunition: Carried up to 45 rounds of 76 mm ammunition.
Secondary Armament: 1 x .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning M2 heavy machine gun (mounted on the turret rear).
Armor: Very light. Hull front was only 13 mm (0.5 in) thick, and the turret was 13 mm. This was a deliberate trade-off for speed and was its main vulnerability.
Open Turret: The open-topped turret provided excellent visibility for the crew and allowed for quick escape, but made the crew highly vulnerable to artillery shrapnel, snipers, and grenades.