Tamiya - 1/35 M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer

The M18 Hellcat — America's fastest tracked vehicle of World War II and a pioneer of tank destroyer doctrine — is recreated in precise 1/35 scale by Tamiya. Developed to counter German Army armour, the Hellcat combined a compact, lightweight hull with a powerful 76mm gun, open-top turret design, and a radial 9-cylinder engine capable of 80km/h — the highest speed of any tracked vehicle during the war. Deployed first at the Italian Front in 1944, the Hellcat went on to distinguish itself across the North-Western European and Pacific theatres through devastating hit-and-run tactics.

This kit employs the latest 3D scanning techniques throughout, with exhaustive study of the actual vehicle enabling an exceptionally accurate recreation. The open-top turret exposes a richly detailed interior including the 45-degree angled gun breech, shell racks, transceiver, turning gears, and crew positions. Two marking options are included to recreate Italian Front vehicles, and a highly detailed standing commander figure is included.

Kit features include:
- Precise recreation of the M18's compact form and powerful 76mm gun
- Open-top turret with fully detailed interior — gun breech, shell racks, transceiver, turning gears
- 45-degree gun breech angle faithfully reproduced for authentic interior crew space
- Gun shield canvas cover surface texture recreated via 3D scanning, with fabric seams and creases
- Clear parts for headlight lens recreation
- Complex suspension captured with ergonomic parts breakdown
- Assembly-type single-pin tracks with one-piece straight sections and detailed idler wheels and drive sprockets
- Separate hull-top air intake grille part with clearly reproduced mesh pattern
- Interior floor surface, bulkhead, and sponson ammo racks as separate parts
- M2 heavy machine gun included
- 76mm shells and charges, plus 12.7mm ammunition cases included as accessories
- Standing commander figure with one hand on hip, other holding a map
- Two marking options for Italian Front vehicles

Kit includes:
- M18 Hellcat tank destroyer
- Commander figure x1
- 76mm shells, charges, and ammunition cases
- Clear headlight lens parts
- Marking options x2
- Decals

Scale: 1/35
Length: 192mm / Width: 80mm
Series: WWII U.S. Military
Manufacturer: Tamiya