M18 "Hellcat"

The 76 mm Gun Motor Carriage M18 “Hellcat” was designed as a fast and mobile tank destroyer to counter German armored forces. Unlike heavier tank destroyers such as the M36 GMC, the M18 traded armor for speed and agility, relying on “hit-and-run” tactics as a rapid response to tank blitzkrieg attacks. Entering service in 1944, the Hellcat was armed with the powerful 76 mm M1 cannon, and was the fastest tracked armored vehicle of World War II.

Mobility

Unlike the M10, which was based on the chassis of the M4 Sherman medium tank and retained its heavy construction and VVSS suspension, the M18 received a completely new, lightweight chassis with torsion bar suspension, a more powerful engine, and a lower silhouette, ideal for their task — fast, massive attacks from ambushes and flanks. This gave it a record speed for US armored vehicles, but at the expense of thinner armor. Its 460 hp engine accelerates the 17.7-ton M18 to high speeds of 80 km/h forward and 26 km/h reverse (in RB/SB).

This is the main advantage of the M18 over other US tank destroyers, allowing it to act quickly and aggressively to capture positions.

Survivability and Armor

Like other American WWII tank destroyers, the Hellcat is not known for having the best armor. The M18 was designed to move quickly and change positions while avoiding fire, a strategy that relied on mobility rather than protection. This makes the tank very vulnerable to any kind of fire, especially high-explosive shells, as even an inaccurate hit can partially or completely destroy the vehicle due to its open top.

Its armor is the weakest among its tank destroyer sisters, the M10 GMC and M36 GMC, but is enough to protect crew from machine gun fire, providing at least 12 mm circular protection.

Armament

The main armament is a 76 mm M1 cannon and an additional 12.7 mm M2HB.

The 76mm gun was one of the best anti-tank guns of the US Army in the Second World War, outperformed only by 90 mm M3 cannon. Its armor penetration and reloading rate allows you to attack most targets, although it may be insufficient against heavily armored targets like the Tiger 2H. Because of this, it is recommended to flank or attack vulnerable points.

The optics zoom is 1.9x–3.5x, which is enough for close or medium range combat. Long-range combat is not recommended due to the gun’s weakness at distance. Compared to the 90 mm M3 cannon on the M36, its penetration beyond 1000 meters will be insufficient against heavy and some medium tanks. Additionally, the 3.5x optics, while decent on medium range, are not good for such ranges and will require prolonged aiming and ranging shots.

The 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun allows you to shoot down low-flying targets or lightly armored vehicles. In critical situations, it can be used to damage the enemy tank’s tracks and then escape.

The recommended projectile is M62 shell (APCBC). However, it is always worth carrying a few M93 shot (APCR) rounds to face enemies with higher BR or with thick armor.

Use in Combat

The M18 is an example of a fast tank destroyer. Thanks to its fairly good gun and mobility, M18 should play actively, capturing points on the map, scouting enemy and setting up ambushes, often changing positions. Frontal combat is not recommended, especially against heavily armored enemies, but it is possible if the situation requires it.

The M18 works best when used in a support role, using its speed to capture positions or ambush the enemy. But if necessary, player can play on his own. Knowing the map, player on the M18 can easily bypass the enemy’s line of defense, and can quickly shoot tank groups by going behind the enemy’s back.

The main enemies the M18 will face are the IS-2, T-34-85, T-44, Tiger E, Panther, Tiger 2 (P/H) and etc. It is always recommended to avoid a head-on battle, instead attacking sides.

Against the IS-2, the M18 player should aim for the turret. Firing into the hull is recommended only in the side armor, in the areas of the ammunition.

Against the Tiger 2 (H), an ambush aiming to hit the side armor would be the only option. In case of a frontal encounter, the only feasible option is shooting its gun. The machine gunner port can be penetrated with both M62 and M93 shells, but it has a very high risk of deflecting the shell.

Against the Panther the most effective option is always to shoot at the gun mantlet. But it is worth remembering its weak side armor, and even minimal exposure can be fatal for Panther.

The Tiger 2P and even the T-44 are easily penetrated by shots to the sides of the turret. Shooting at the hull is not recommended, due to the angle and thickness.

It is important to remember that regardless of the opponent, it is always possible to destroy the gun barrel with a precise shot. Then, with a second shot or a machine gun, you can break the track and finish off an incapacitated enemy with a precise shot to a vulnerable spot, or drive around the side.