Tanks/Vehicles M18 Hellcat (76 mm Gun Motor Carriage M18)

[Cosmic_Pretzel 626]

The M18 Hellcat was an American tank destroyer of World War II. Armed with a 76 mm cannon, the vehicle was the fastest tracked, armored fighting vehicle during World War II with a top speed up to 60 mph (92 kph), and Buick nicknamed it the Hellcat. The speed was attained by keeping armor to a minimum, no more than one inch thick. Used in the Italian and European theatres, the Hellcat, along with the Sherman Firefly and M10 Wolverine, provided Allied forces with a respectable mobile anti-tank capability against the newer German armored types.

 

Historical Backround

As the United States army entered World War II, it drew certain conclusions from Germany's quick victories over Poland and France. One was that a highly mobile tank destroyer force needed to be held in reserve to deal with sudden Panzer breakthroughs as they occurred, rather than keep anti-tank forces at the front. Therefore, anti-tank elements were removed from infantry divisions to form independent battalions, which were initially equipped with a number of improvised mobile tank destroyers, the M3 half-track mounting a 75 mm (2.95 in) gun, and the M6 truck with a 37 mm (1.46 in) gun. Once Operation Torch provided battlefield experience to the army to evaluate, it became apparent that more powerful tank destroyers would be needed. First of the more powerful weapons was the M10, built on the chassis of an M4 armed with a 76.2 mm (3 in) gun. However, the M10 was still an improvised weapons system, so an order went out for a tank destroyer designed from the ground up to hunt and destroy tanks. This vehicle was the M18 Hellcat, the subject of this article.

In December 1941 the Ordnance Corps issued a requirement for a fast tank destroyer using torsion bar suspension, a Wright/Continental R-975 engine, and a 37 mm (1.46 in) gun. This became the T42 37 mm (1.46 in) Gun Motor Carriage. The army then changed their request to a vehicle mounting a 57 mm (2.24 in) gun, thus the designation changed to the T49 57 mm Gun Motor Carriage. Yet another change, requesting a 75 mm (2.95 in) gun, led to the T67 Gun Motor Carriage, of which one was built from a T49 chassis. Finally, the T70 76 mm Gun Motor Carriage emerged, and would become the M18 Hellcat designed by Harley Earl at Buick. Tests on an oval track, as well as a specially designed bumpy track, demonstrated that the lightly armored vehicle could achieve high speeds. Production of the M18 started on January 7th 1943, when 1,000 units were ordered.

 

Design

Speed and agility were the hallmarks of this particular tank destroyer; these qualities came about from using a powerful engine and by keeping armored protection to a minimum. As was the case with other tank destroyers used by the United States, the M18 had an open turret, which left the crew vulnerable to snipers, grenades, and shrapnel. Rarely was the high speed of the Hellcat fully used in combat, but the ability to outflank German tanks, for side and rear shots, did benefit the crews against the heavily armored Panther and Tiger tanks. Ease of maintenance came from the engine being mounted on steel rollers, which permitted quick removal and replacement. The transmission was also easily accessed in this manner. The 76 mm (3 in) gun soon proved to be not as effective as hoped against German armor, although a limited supply of high velocity armor piercing ammunition did compensate to some extent.

The crew comprised five members, the commander in the turret left rear, gunner in the turret left front, loader in the turret right, driver in the left front, and assistant driver in the hull right front. The armor consisted of rolled and cast homogeneous steel, as follows: Gun shield .75 inch (1.9 cm) from 0-60 degrees; Front (cast) 1 inch (2.5 cm) 23 degrees; Sides .5 inch (1.3 cm) 20 degrees; Rear .5 inch (1.3 cm) 9 degrees; Top (none); and floor 0.25 in (6 mm). The main armament was a 76 mm (3 in) M1A1, M1A1C or M1A2 with 45 rounds, 360 degree manual and hydraulic traverse at 24 degrees/second, +20 degrees to -10 degrees of elevation/depression. The secondary armament comprised a .50 (12.7 in) caliber M2HB machine gun in a ring mount (800 rounds), rotating 360 degrees, with manual traverse.

 

Production

In July of 1943 the Hellcat went into production at the Buick plant in Flint Michigan. Although Buick was contracted to build 8,986 Hellcats for the US army and Lend-Lease recipients, only a total of 2,507 vehicles were produced, with production ceasing in October 1944.

 

Variants

There were a number of variants tested using the chassis of the Hellcat. The T86 and T86E1 amphibious tank destroyers, as well as the T87 105 mm (4.13 in) amphibious Howitzer Motor Carriage and the T88 105 mm (4.13 in) Howitzer Motor Carriage along with the Super Hellcat mounting the turret from the M36 were all tested, but none proceeded to production before war's end. The only variant of the M18 to see production and combat was the T41/M39 armored utility vehicle, used as a turretless personnel or cargo carrier and as a gun tractor. M39s saw service in both World War II and Korea, before being declared obsolete on February 14th 1957. A prototype of the M39 was tried as a flame thrower tank, the T65. It did not go into production.

 

Active Service

Although some Hellcats went to China to fight the Japanese army, they were primarily used in support of infantry, as Japanese armor was scarce and of poor quality. Two battalions of tank destroyers did see service in the invasion of the Philippines using Hellcats. Starting with Anzio in Italy M18s saw action in Italy and Northwest Europe. The following tank battalions used the M18 during part or all of their service: 602nd battalion 9\1944, 603rd 8\1944, 609th 9\1944, 612th 1\1945, 637th 1\1945 (Pacific), 638th 11\1944, 643rd 2-3\1945, 648th 5\1945?, 656th 2\1945, 661st 2\1945, 704th 7\1944, 705th 7\1944, 801st 4\1945, 805th 6\1944, 807th 4\1945, 809th 2\1945-4\1945, 811th 11\1944, 817th 4\1945, 820th 4\1945, 822nd 4\1945, 824th 3\1945, 827th 12\1944. Note: The dates are for when the unit received the Hellcat.

According to the army's "Seek, Strike, Destroy" doctrine, these battalions were to be kept under the control of upper echelon headquarters, in order to respond quickly to mass Panzer attacks. However, since the Germans almost never employed their tanks in this manner, the battalions ended up parceled out to infantry divisions, where they provided direct fire support, blasting pill boxes and other fortifications, or in indirect fire roles interdicting German movement. Not designed for these roles, the M18 nevertheless did excellent work supplementing the artillery of these infantry divisions.

Throughout the long campaign in Italy, then through France and the Low Countries, the tank destroyer units had a number of moments to shine as tank destroyers; at Arracourt, in France, on September 19th 1944, the 704th TD battalion in support of the 4th Armored Division destroyed 15 tanks of the German 113th Panzer brigade while in a dense fog; during the Ardennes offensive on December 19th-20th 1944, 4 Hellcats of the 705th TD battalion supported an attack on the 2nd Panzer division. This spoiling attack slowed down the German attempt to seize Bastogne until the Americans could organize their defenses. In addition to serving with the United States army, the Hellcat also served with the armies of Taiwan, West Germany, and Yugoslavia (until the 1990's).

 

76mm Gun Motor Carriage M18 specifications

Dimensions:                               (L-w-h)  21.10 x 9.9 x 8.5 ft.in (5.28 x 2.87 x 2.57 m)

Total weight, battle ready:          18 tons (39,000 lbs)

Crew:                                          5 (driver, co-driver, commander, gunner, loader)

Propulsion:                                 Continental radial R-975-C4 9 cyl., gas. 900T Torqmatic transmission

Top speed:                                 50 mph (80 km/h) road 18 mph (29 km/h) off-road

Range:                                       (road)  105/160 mi (160 km at cruising speed)

Armament:                                  Main 76 mm (3 in) gun M1A1/M1A1C/M1A2, 45 rounds

                                                   Secondary: Cal.50 (12.7 mm) Browning M2HB, 800 rounds

Armor:                                         From 1 (glacis) to 0.2 in (floor) (25 to 5 mm)

 

Edited January 16, 2015 by Cosmic_Pretzel

[Smin1080p_WT 60,444]

Open for discussion  :salute: 

 

However It should be noted US tank destroyers are on the way, however they will be in a future update.

[Kempston 342]

May be on the way, but hey, we can chat about them. Wonder if we can get the Blue freeze kits for them?

[Cosmic_Pretzel 626]

Open for discussion  :salute: 

 

However It should be noted US tank destroyers are on the way, however they will be in a future update.

Thank you. :)s  :salute:

[Kempston 342]

So tier IV? Seeing that it was meant to be a Wolverine replacement which would be pretty suited at tier III. The Machine was a hard hitter and I think some later variants had a 90mm or similar.

[Cosmic_Pretzel 626]

So tier IV? Seeing that it was meant to be a Wolverine replacement which would be pretty suited at tier III. The Machine was a hard hitter and I think some later variants had a 90mm or similar.

Ether late tier III or early tier IV. :)s

[JulieBean 87]

I think they already planned to add M-18 and other TDs no?

[Cosmic_Pretzel 626]

I think they already planned to add M-18 and other TDs no?

I didn't see anything about the M18 Hellcat.

[Naam54673 1,537]

The M24 already makes the wehraboo's blood boil.I imagine what this would do to them.

[Cosmic_Pretzel 626]

The M24 already makes the wehraboo's blood boil.I imagine what this would do to them.

I imagine igniting an IS-2 or T-34's ammo with this. :Ds

[Tank50us 266]

I want it.... it may be a glass cannon.... but I don't care.... I needs it.... oh crap I'm turning into Golum!

[KB_TheDireWolf 700]

Um mate the US td will be here soon. M18,M36,M10,and I don't know what else.

[Unit757 1,561]

If anything, this should be a suggestion for the 90mm hellcat, as the 76mm one is almost a sure thing to be added anyways.

[Tank50us 266]

If anything, this should be a suggestion for the 90mm hellcat, as the 76mm one is almost a sure thing to be added anyways.

 

Knowing Gaijin, we may get both.

[Cosmic_Pretzel 626]

I'm sure eventually we'll see all variants of the M18 Hellcat, just give Gaijin some time. :)s

[mistomaxo 446]

its so sad seeing the us tree released without their tds, they were very important machines! and the regular tanks are doing so well for themselves in game, i cant help but wonder how the tds are going to distinguish themselves

[ronan0 40]

Well seeing one guy doesn't want and historical American mass-produced TD who actively fight in WW2, it seems that wehraboo are already on the place....

[NewRoman 160]

Such a weird Hellcat, where are it's wings and for some reason I can't find a propeller or a jet engine on it maybe it's rocket propelled. Well anyways I better a gentle breeze can break it's engine still.

[posuidexiaoming 546]

Hell yeah for the Hellcat...

[Solid_Snake01 974]

I pretty sure the Hellcat will come with the rest of the TDs when they come out.

I mean come on the M18 Hellcat is going to have alot of love just like the M24 Chaffee.

[Tom_Fang_Jerry 0]

Love this machine and sure I would love to see it at late tier 3. The only thing I'm worried about is driving too fast, hit something and kill the whole crew

[Smin1080p_WT 60,444]

Moved to implemented suggestions  :salute: