Tamiya 35376 - 1/35 U.S. M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer Model Kit (Detailed)  [35376]

Role and design of the M18 Hellcat in WWII

The M18 Hellcat was developed as a swift tank destroyer to tackle heavy armoured threats. Characterised by its open-top fighting compartment and a 76mm gun, it used a compact chassis with torsion bar suspension, a noteworthy innovation in US armour. Powered by a radial 9-cylinder engine, it could achieve speeds up to 80km/h, making it the fastest tracked vehicle of its time.

Theatre service and combat employment

Production started in July 1943 and the Hellcat first entered combat on the Italian Front in 1944. Its speed favoured hit-and-run engagements, proving effective against larger tanks across North-Western Europe and in Pacific operations.

Kit fidelity and component overview

Tamiya's 1/35 kit captures the Hellcat's compact shape and surface details. The assembled model is 192mm long and 80mm wide. The parts list includes precise elements such as the main gun breech, shell rack, onboard transceiver and turret turning gear, along with clear parts for the headlights and a textured canvas look on the gun shield.

Construction notes and presentation

The kit reproduces the suspension apparatus using thoughtfully engineered parts, and the single-pin tracks are supplied as straight one-piece sections for neat assembly. A standing crew figure is included to add scale context, and two marking options let you represent vehicles from the Italian Front period.