{"product_id":"u-s-m18-hellcat-tank-destroyer-1-35-model-kit-by-tamiya","title":"U.S. M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer 1:35 Model Kit by Tamiya","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel Features\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuild one of the fastest armoured fighting vehicles of the Second World War with the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTamiya U.S. M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer 1:35 Model Kit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This highly detailed kit accurately recreates the iconic M18 Hellcat, featuring finely moulded plastic parts, realistic surface detailing and authentic U.S. Army markings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith Tamiya's renowned engineering and excellent fit, this kit offers an enjoyable building experience for WWII armour enthusiasts, military vehicle collectors and diorama builders alike.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScale: 1:35\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManufacturer: Tamiya\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVehicle: U.S. M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinely detailed plastic parts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetailed open fighting compartment and suspension\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthentic U.S. Army decal options\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIllustrated assembly instructions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssembly required\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGlue and paints not included\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlastic model kit parts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecal sheet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIllustrated assembly instructions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistory of the Original Vehicle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Snapshot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eM18 Hellcat\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was an American tank destroyer developed during the Second World War to provide U.S. Army forces with a highly mobile vehicle capable of rapidly engaging enemy armour. Entering service in 1944, it was built around the U.S. tank destroyer doctrine, which prioritised speed and manoeuvrability over heavy armour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePowered by a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContinental R-975 nine-cylinder radial engine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the M18 could reach speeds of up to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e55 mph (89 km\/h)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, making it the fastest fully tracked armoured fighting vehicle of the Second World War. This exceptional mobility allowed Hellcat crews to quickly reposition, outflank enemy tanks and exploit favourable firing positions before relocating to avoid return fire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe M18 was armed with the effective \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e76mm M1 gun\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, capable of defeating many German armoured vehicles, including the Panzer IV and, under favourable conditions, the Panther and Tiger. Its open-topped turret provided excellent visibility and rapid target acquisition, although it offered less protection against artillery fragments and small-arms fire than fully enclosed designs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Hellcat first saw combat during the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eItalian Campaign\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e before serving extensively in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBelgium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGermany\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e following the D-Day landings. It proved particularly successful during the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBattle of the Bulge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, where its speed and firepower enabled U.S. forces to respond quickly to German armoured breakthroughs and conduct effective counterattacks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAround \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2,500 M18 Hellcats\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e were produced, and the vehicle remained in service with several countries long after the war ended. Today, the M18 is widely regarded as one of the most successful tank destroyers ever built, admired for its outstanding mobility, dependable performance and innovative design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a plastic model kit and requires assembly. Glue, paints and modelling tools are sold separately. Due to the small parts and detailed assembly involved, this kit is recommended for experienced beginners and above.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SCH Models","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60221352771918,"sku":"35376","price":41.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1051\/3360\/5198\/files\/35376_001.jpg?v=1785087315","url":"https:\/\/schmodels.co.uk\/products\/u-s-m18-hellcat-tank-destroyer-1-35-model-kit-by-tamiya","provider":"SCH Models","version":"1.0","type":"link"}