Tamiya 35376 - 1/35 U.S. M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer Kit for Scale Modellers  [35376]

M18 Hellcat heritage and combat role

In World War II the M18 Hellcat earned a reputation as a fast, purpose-built tank hunter designed to tackle German armour. Its open-top turret and 76mm main gun were paired with a compact layout and a torsion bar suspension system, a notable innovation for US armoured vehicles. Powered by a radial 9-cylinder engine, the Hellcat could reach speeds up to 80km/h, making it the quickest tracked vehicle of its era.

Service history and theatres

Production began in July 1943 and the Hellcat first saw action on the Italian Front in 1944. Favoured for hit-and-run tactics, it was effective against heavier enemy tanks and served across multiple theatres, including North-Western Europe and the Pacific, where mobility and firepower mattered most.

Scale accuracy and kit detail

This Tamiya 1/35 model reproduces the Hellcat's compact silhouette and fine surface detail. The finished model measures 192mm long and 80mm wide, and the kit includes intricately moulded parts such as the main gun breech, shell rack, radio transceiver and turret turning gears. Clear components are provided for headlight lenses and the gun shield shows realistic canvas texture.

Construction and display notes

The suspension layout is modelled with ergonomic parts and the single pin tracks are supplied as straight one-piece sections for easier assembly. A standing tank crew figure is included to enhance display, and two marking options let you represent vehicles from the Italian Front.