Difference between revisions of "Super Hellcat"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!--In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.-->
 +
[[File:GarageImage M18SuperHellcat.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (or the '''{{Specs|pseudonym}}''') is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} American tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.51 "Cold Steel"]]. It is similar to the Rank III [[M18 GMC|M18 Hellcat]], only using the [[M36 GMC|M36 GMC]] turret to mount the 90 mm gun with a minimal decrease in top speed.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
<!--Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat?
  
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.-->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 12.7 mm (63°)|| 12.7 mm || 12.7 mm || 8.0 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 31.75 mm ''Turret front'' <br> 76.2 mm ''Gun mantlet''|| 31.75 mm || 25.4 mm || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
  
== Weaponry ==
+
{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 653|rbMinHp= 407|<!--AoAweight=(optional) -->}}
=== Main weaponry ===
 
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
 
  
=== Additional weaponry ===
+
== Armaments ==
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
=== Main armament ===
 +
<!--Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.-->
 +
{{main|M3 (90 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[M3 (90 mm)|90 mm M3]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="3" | 45 || -10°/+20° || ±180° || N/A
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 +
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| ''Arcade'' || 14.28 || 19.80 || 24.00 || 26.60 || 28.20
 +
|-
 +
| ''Realistic'' || 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.40 || 22.60 || 24.00
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| 11.05 || 9.78 || 9.00 || 8.50
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== Ammunition =====
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10m
 +
! 100m
 +
! 500m
 +
! 1000m
 +
! 1500m
 +
! 2000m
 +
|-
 +
| T33 shot || AP || 189 || 188 || 163 || 137 || 115 || 96
 +
|-
 +
| M71 shell || HE || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13
 +
|-
 +
| M82 shot || APCBC || 165 || 164 || 150 || 137 || 125 || 114
 +
|-
 +
| M304 shot || APCR || 264 || 260 || 245 || 226 || 210 || 191
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 +
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 +
''in m:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 +
''in mm:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 +
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 +
|-
 +
! 0%
 +
! 50%
 +
! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| T33 shot || AP || 822 || 11 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 +
|-
 +
| M71 shell || HE || 823 || 11 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 925 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-
 +
| M82 shot || APCBC || 813 || 11 || 1.2 || 20 || 137.2 || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
 +
|-
 +
| M304 shot || APCR || 1021 || 7.6 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_M18SuperHellcat.png|right|thumbnail|300px|Ammo racks of the Super Hellcat.]]
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br />ammo
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br />rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br />rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th<br />rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th<br />rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |7th<br />rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |8th<br />rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''45''' || 40&nbsp;''(+5)'' || 34&nbsp;''(+11)'' || 28&nbsp;''(+17)'' || 22&nbsp;''(+23)'' || 16&nbsp;''(+29)'' || 11&nbsp;''(+34)'' || 6&nbsp;''(+39)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+44)'' || style="text-align:center" |Yes
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
Turret empty: 34 ''(+11)''
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
<!--Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.-->
 +
{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | ''Pintle mount''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" | 800 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== Usage in battles ==
 +
<!--Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).-->
 +
 
 +
The M18 "Super Hellcat" should be very familiar to those who play the [[M18 GMC|M18 Hellcat]]. It is very fast, equipped with a hard-hitting cannon, but at a cost of armour. Thus, the M18 Super Hellcat is a mobile hit-and-run vehicle, popping out from behind a cover and blasting the enemy with a shot before retreating. Change up the firing location often to avoid being hit if someone has located the Super Hellcat's position. The Hellcat won't hold the line by standing and absorbing shots, but it can if it is picking off each attacker one by one like a sniper.
  
== Usage in the battles ==
+
The main focus of gaining the Super Hellcat is the 90 mm upgrade, and it is absolutely beautiful. The main round recommended using well be the M82 APCBC round, the reason being reliable one shot knock-outs. The M82 has enough penetration to penetrate a [[Tiger H1|Tiger I]] through the front plate.
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
 
 +
In an offensive and defensive position, the Hellcat should still remain behind cover and be constantly changing firing positions. Once a shot was fired, retreat back to cover and wait out until the next round is reloaded. In an offence, pop out from the cover occasionally and snipe at the enemy. In a defence, remain behind cover and catch the enemy off guard as they approach by letting them shoot a different target first and hit them while they are reloading. Another way is to let them move right into the Hellcat's line of sight, which should at best expose their sides, allowing for a shot to land an M82 APCBC round into them.
 +
 
 +
A more aggressive play style is as a flanker and a point-capturer. The Hellcat's great speed can allow it to get around an enemy concentration and shoot them on the sides while they are focused at allies in front of them. They may eventually catch on to Hellcat's presence, and the Hellcat should take a more conservative action by returning back to the shoot-and-scoot tactic behind cover. The Hellcat's speed can also be used to rush towards the point. Though not recommended due to exposing the Hellcat's to enemy fire, the speed can ensure the Hellcat will be the first on the point, with a 90mm gun to defend itself. If lucky, the enemy team is too slow and the Hellcat will capture the point. If unlucky, the enemy will swarm the point, outnumber and constrict the Hellcat and destroy it. Thus it is not recommended to play as a point-capturer.
 +
 
 +
With good shots, the cheeks of a [[Tiger II (P)|Tiger II (P)]] can be hit. Penetrating the Panther series (up to the [[Panther II]]) will require a clean shot to the mantlet and for the Panther II, a hit the flat of the turret. Same principles apply on Soviet mediums like the [[T-44]], hit the cheeks and turret ring. For Soviet heavy tanks, hit the lower glacis or the turret cheeks. Using the standard AP shot as a primary round isn't recommended as the fragmentation is minimal, same goes for APCR, which should be used only on the toughest enemies. Despite that, AP is useful against some enemies like the [[Tiger II (H)]] as the regular APCBC can penetrate the flat sides of the turret front. Use AP if there is a clean shot on the flat part of Tiger II (H) turret as it cant be penned by APCBC but if the turret is angled even a little AP well bounce so then use APCR same on Russian heavy tanks. Little hint when using AP or APCR on German/ Russian heavy tanks aim for the right side to hit the gunner and commander, giving precious seconds to escape. AP and APCR isn't recommended to shoot the angled front plates of the German Panther and Tiger II's as the angle is steep enough to absorb the shot unless at point-blank range. The reload with a max reloading skill is 9.5 seconds which gives it a decent rate of fire.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!--Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".-->
 
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
*
+
* Fantastic 90 mm gun with a very lethal M82 APCBC round
 +
* Pintle .50 cal machine gun is effective for anti-air purposes
 +
* Fast Hellcat speed, forward and backward
 +
* Great mobility
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
*
+
* Paper-thin armour
 +
* Hull-breakable vehicle
 +
* Exposed crew, watch out for machine gun and artillery
 +
* A penetrating round, even if inflicting minimum crew damages, have a high chance of disabling the transmission or engine
 +
* Ammunition always stored in hull sides
  
== Historical part ==
+
== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!--Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).-->
 +
===Development===
 +
During World War II, the [[M18 GMC|M18 "Hellcat"]] tank destroyer was very effective in its role in American service. Despite that, an attempt to upgrade the vehicle with a better gun took effect around 1944. Instead of the 76 mm gun that it originally had, it would take the 90 mm gun that was going into service at the time.
  
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guids, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
The attempt to construct this focused on the turret to mount the heavier and larger gun. The M18's turret was then replaced with the turret from the [[M36 GMC|M36 GMC]] to mount the 90 mm gun. Testings with this variant showed that the instalment of the new turret did not hinder the speed performance of the M18, but the recoil of the 90 mm gun would cause the tank to bounce back heavily when fired, going back by at least 2 feet even with the muzzle brake attached on the 90 mm gun. The recoil force would also shake the entire tank hull and crew inside. The modified M18 mounting the 90 mm gun was nicknamed the '''"Super" Hellcat'''
  
== Read also ==
+
===Testing and cancellation===
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
Despite the drawbacks, it was deemed an acceptable vehicle to use on the battlefield. The 90 mm gun would provide a very large firepower advantage over the 76 mm gun the M18 had originally, which could not penetrate the front of the [[Panther G|Panther tank]] unless in close range with HVAP ammo. The 90 mm could take out most of the late war German tank designs with ease. However, the war ended before the "Super" Hellcat could be deployed for combat use, and the project was cancelled along with the disbanding of the tank destroyer doctrine.
 +
 
 +
=== In-game description ===
 +
An experimental version of the M18 antitank vehicle armed with a 90mm M3 cannon. Only one model was ever built. The impetus for the creation of this model was that 76mm guns had been shown to be ineffective against German heavy tanks on the Western Front. The re-equipping project was carried out on the Aberdeen training ground, which is where the vehicle’s gun was also fired. Based on the results, the gun was equipped with a massive muzzle break.
 +
 
 +
== Media ==
 +
<!--Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.-->
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|ChdDCA2ob2Y|'''The Shooting Range #171''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:32 discusses the Super Hellcat.}}
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
''ETC.''
 
  
== Sources ==
+
== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!--Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
* ''other literature.''
+
* ''other literature.''-->
 +
[[wt:en/devblog/current/791/|[Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> T-34-100 and SuperHellcat]]
 +
 
 +
{{USA tank destroyers}}
 +
{{USA premium ground vehicles}}

Revision as of 11:47, 10 March 2020

RANK 4 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
Super Hellcat
us_m18_super_hellcat.png
Super Hellcat
AB RB SB
6.0 6.3 6.3
Purchase:6 090 Specs-Card-Eagle.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Super Hellcat.jpg


The M18 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage (or the Super Hellcat) is a premium rank IV American tank destroyer with a battle rating of 6.0 (AB) and 6.3 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.51 "Cold Steel". It is similar to the Rank III M18 Hellcat, only using the M36 GMC turret to mount the 90 mm gun with a minimal decrease in top speed.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 12.7 mm (63°) 12.7 mm 12.7 mm 8.0 mm
Turret 31.75 mm Turret front
76.2 mm Gun mantlet
31.75 mm 25.4 mm N/A

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 90 29 22 653 763 29.68 34.68
Realistic 81 26 407 400 18.5 18.18

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: M3 (90 mm)
90 mm M3
Capacity Vertical
guidance
Horizontal
guidance
Stabilizer
45 -10°/+20° ±180° N/A
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 14.28 19.80 24.00 26.60 28.20
Realistic 14.28 16.80 20.40 22.60 24.00
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
11.05 9.78 9.00 8.50
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
T33 shot AP 189 188 163 137 115 96
M71 shell HE 13 13 13 13 13 13
M82 shot APCBC 165 164 150 137 125 114
M304 shot APCR 264 260 245 226 210 191
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
in m/s
Projectile
Mass in kg
Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent):
Normalization At 30°
from horizontal:
Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
T33 shot AP 822 11 N/A N/A N/A -1° 47° 60° 65°
M71 shell HE 823 11 0.1 0.5 925 +0° 79° 80° 81°
M82 shot APCBC 813 11 1.2 20 137.2 +4° 48° 63° 71°
M304 shot APCR 1021 7.6 N/A N/A N/A +1.5° 66° 70° 72°
Ammo racks
File:Ammoracks M18SuperHellcat.png
Ammo racks of the Super Hellcat.
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
7th
rack empty
8th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
45 40 (+5) 34 (+11) 28 (+17) 22 (+23) 16 (+29) 11 (+34) (+39) (+44) Yes

Turret empty: 34 (+11)

Machine guns

Main article: M2HB (12.7 mm)
12.7 mm M2HB
Pintle mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute)
Vertical
guidance
Horizontal
guidance
800 (200) 577 -10°/+70° ±60°

Usage in battles

The M18 "Super Hellcat" should be very familiar to those who play the M18 Hellcat. It is very fast, equipped with a hard-hitting cannon, but at a cost of armour. Thus, the M18 Super Hellcat is a mobile hit-and-run vehicle, popping out from behind a cover and blasting the enemy with a shot before retreating. Change up the firing location often to avoid being hit if someone has located the Super Hellcat's position. The Hellcat won't hold the line by standing and absorbing shots, but it can if it is picking off each attacker one by one like a sniper.

The main focus of gaining the Super Hellcat is the 90 mm upgrade, and it is absolutely beautiful. The main round recommended using well be the M82 APCBC round, the reason being reliable one shot knock-outs. The M82 has enough penetration to penetrate a Tiger I through the front plate.

In an offensive and defensive position, the Hellcat should still remain behind cover and be constantly changing firing positions. Once a shot was fired, retreat back to cover and wait out until the next round is reloaded. In an offence, pop out from the cover occasionally and snipe at the enemy. In a defence, remain behind cover and catch the enemy off guard as they approach by letting them shoot a different target first and hit them while they are reloading. Another way is to let them move right into the Hellcat's line of sight, which should at best expose their sides, allowing for a shot to land an M82 APCBC round into them.

A more aggressive play style is as a flanker and a point-capturer. The Hellcat's great speed can allow it to get around an enemy concentration and shoot them on the sides while they are focused at allies in front of them. They may eventually catch on to Hellcat's presence, and the Hellcat should take a more conservative action by returning back to the shoot-and-scoot tactic behind cover. The Hellcat's speed can also be used to rush towards the point. Though not recommended due to exposing the Hellcat's to enemy fire, the speed can ensure the Hellcat will be the first on the point, with a 90mm gun to defend itself. If lucky, the enemy team is too slow and the Hellcat will capture the point. If unlucky, the enemy will swarm the point, outnumber and constrict the Hellcat and destroy it. Thus it is not recommended to play as a point-capturer.

With good shots, the cheeks of a Tiger II (P) can be hit. Penetrating the Panther series (up to the Panther II) will require a clean shot to the mantlet and for the Panther II, a hit the flat of the turret. Same principles apply on Soviet mediums like the T-44, hit the cheeks and turret ring. For Soviet heavy tanks, hit the lower glacis or the turret cheeks. Using the standard AP shot as a primary round isn't recommended as the fragmentation is minimal, same goes for APCR, which should be used only on the toughest enemies. Despite that, AP is useful against some enemies like the Tiger II (H) as the regular APCBC can penetrate the flat sides of the turret front. Use AP if there is a clean shot on the flat part of Tiger II (H) turret as it cant be penned by APCBC but if the turret is angled even a little AP well bounce so then use APCR same on Russian heavy tanks. Little hint when using AP or APCR on German/ Russian heavy tanks aim for the right side to hit the gunner and commander, giving precious seconds to escape. AP and APCR isn't recommended to shoot the angled front plates of the German Panther and Tiger II's as the angle is steep enough to absorb the shot unless at point-blank range. The reload with a max reloading skill is 9.5 seconds which gives it a decent rate of fire.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Fantastic 90 mm gun with a very lethal M82 APCBC round
  • Pintle .50 cal machine gun is effective for anti-air purposes
  • Fast Hellcat speed, forward and backward
  • Great mobility

Cons:

  • Paper-thin armour
  • Hull-breakable vehicle
  • Exposed crew, watch out for machine gun and artillery
  • A penetrating round, even if inflicting minimum crew damages, have a high chance of disabling the transmission or engine
  • Ammunition always stored in hull sides

History

Development

During World War II, the M18 "Hellcat" tank destroyer was very effective in its role in American service. Despite that, an attempt to upgrade the vehicle with a better gun took effect around 1944. Instead of the 76 mm gun that it originally had, it would take the 90 mm gun that was going into service at the time.

The attempt to construct this focused on the turret to mount the heavier and larger gun. The M18's turret was then replaced with the turret from the M36 GMC to mount the 90 mm gun. Testings with this variant showed that the instalment of the new turret did not hinder the speed performance of the M18, but the recoil of the 90 mm gun would cause the tank to bounce back heavily when fired, going back by at least 2 feet even with the muzzle brake attached on the 90 mm gun. The recoil force would also shake the entire tank hull and crew inside. The modified M18 mounting the 90 mm gun was nicknamed the "Super" Hellcat

Testing and cancellation

Despite the drawbacks, it was deemed an acceptable vehicle to use on the battlefield. The 90 mm gun would provide a very large firepower advantage over the 76 mm gun the M18 had originally, which could not penetrate the front of the Panther tank unless in close range with HVAP ammo. The 90 mm could take out most of the late war German tank designs with ease. However, the war ended before the "Super" Hellcat could be deployed for combat use, and the project was cancelled along with the disbanding of the tank destroyer doctrine.

In-game description

An experimental version of the M18 antitank vehicle armed with a 90mm M3 cannon. Only one model was ever built. The impetus for the creation of this model was that 76mm guns had been shown to be ineffective against German heavy tanks on the Western Front. The re-equipping project was carried out on the Aberdeen training ground, which is where the vehicle’s gun was also fired. Based on the results, the gun was equipped with a massive muzzle break.

Media

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

[Devblog] T-34-100 and SuperHellcat


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