Tag Archives: american

American Tank Destroyer M18 Hellcat (Tamiya)

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This is the Tamiya 35 376-3800 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘American Tank Destroyer M18 Hellcat’.

American Tank Destroyer M18 Hellcat

History

The M18 Hellcat was an American tank destroyer developed to counter the German Army tanks, and it featured an open top design turret and powerful 76mm gun, plus a main gun breech rotated 45 degrees around the gun barrel to save space in the turret interior.

It had a compact, lightweight hull, automatic transmission and the first torsion bar suspension seen on U.S. armor. Its radial 9-cylinder engine at the hull rear was capable of 80 km/h maximum speed which was the highest speed among tracked vehicles during WWII.

The production started in July, 1943 and the Hellcat was in service for the first time at the Italian Front in 1944. After that, this tank destroyer was deployed in the North-Western European and Pacific War theaters, notably besting the German Army tanks with super performance and firepower based on hit-and-run tactics. The Hellcat contributed to U.S. victory as a pioneer of tank destroyers.

Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

American M10 Tank Destroyer (Mid production) (Tamiya)

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This is the Tamiya 35 350-3800 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘US M10 Tank Destroyer (Mid production)’.

US M10 Tank Destroyer (Mid production)

History

This versatile AFV was developed largely to give U.S forces a potential counter to the German armor tactics which proved successful in the early stages of WWII.

It utilized the successful M4A2 Sherman chassis with diesel powerplant, and mounted the 76.2mm gun in an open-top rotating turret; the hull featured extensive use of sloped armor, kept thin so as not to hinder maneuverability. Bosses were used on the turret and hull to facilitate the affixation of additional armor.

Around 5,000 M10s were manufactured between September 1942 and December 1943, and it featured in action across North Africa and western Europe, its 3-inch gun and excellent maneuverability making it an asset for Allied forces.

Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

American M1A1 Abrams w/ Mine Plow (Tamiya)

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This is the Tamiya 35 158-3400 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘US M1A1 Abrams w/ Mine Plow’.

US M1A1 Abrams w/ Mine Plow

History

Developed during the early 1980’s, the M1 Abrams tank benefited from the latest technological wonders of the time, giving it enormous advantage on any battlefield. The turret, being very angular and squat, had a very roomy interior. This angular design was combined with Chobham armor for excellent protection against the kinetic energy from hollow charge projectiles.

The hull sides and rear panels are vertical, with only the front angled to deflect anti-tank shots. The 1500 horsepower Avco-Lycoming AGT-1500 turbine engine provides remarkable speed and maneuverability plus being regarded as one of the quietest tank powerplants available today. During the mid 1980’s the M1 underwent an improvement program to upgrade its 105mm gun to the type M256 120mm smoothbore cannon.

The armor at the frontal area of the lower hull front and turret was also increased, and it was given the new designation of “M 1A1”. Other improvements are seen in the enlarged rear turret bustle stowage rack, a new style crosswind sensor, a revised gunner’s sightmount, plus reinforced suspension and transmission unit.

One of the more specialized pieces of equipment utilized on this tank is a detachable plow for uncovering and neutralizing mine fields. Land mines are a menacing problem for both humans and vehicles during any conflict, and the operations of this specialized M1A1 helped clear the way for troops following the tanks during the recent Gulf conflict.

Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

Wheel, American (Friulmodel)

Aside

Friulmodel

Aftermarket metal wheels for my American vehicles, in 1/35 scale.

Please verify the vendor’s website, before using the information below

Light
M3 Stuart
M24 Chaffee AW-21
M41 Walker Bulldog
M551 Sheridan

Medium
M4 Sherman
M46/M47/M48/M60 Patton
M1 Abrams ATL-155

Heavy
M26 Pershing  

Destroyer
M18 Hellcat

Artillery
M44 Howitzer
M53/M55 Howitzer

Source: Friulmodel

American M18 Hellcat (Academy)

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This is the Academy 13255 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘American M18 Hellcat’.

American M18 Hellcat

History

The M18 Hellcat (officially designated the 76mm Gun Motor Carriage M18 or M18 GMC for short) was an American tank destroyer of World War II, used in the Italian, European, and Pacific theatres, and in the Korean War.

It was the fastest armored vehicle in the American defense inventory of the 20th century. The speed was attained by keeping armor to a minimum, no more than one inch thick and roofless, open-top turrets (a standard design feature for all American fully tracked tank destroyers of World War II) and by powering the relatively small vehicle with a radial engine originally designed for aircraft usage.

The Hellcat, along with the M4 Sherman-based M10 tank destroyer and the highly effective, 90mm gun-armed M36 tank destroyer, provided American and Allied forces with a respectable mobile anti-tank capability against the newer German armored types.

Source: Wikipedia

Manufacturer

Track, American (Friulmodel)

Aside

Friulmodel

Aftermarket working metal track links for my American vehicles, in 1/35 scale.

Please verify the vendor’s website, before using the information below

Light
M3 Stuart ATL-98
M24 Chaffee ATL-39 ATL-175
M41 Walker Bulldog ATL-80
M551 Sheridan ATL-87

Medium
M4 Sherman ATL-12 ATL-47 ATL-48 ATL-89 ATL-131
M46/M47/M48/M60 Patton ATL-142 ATL-143 ATL-145 ATL-156
M1 Abrams ATL-155

Heavy
M26 Pershing ATL-77 ATL-145  ATL-156

Destroyer
M18 Hellcat ATL-40

Artillery
M44 Howitzer ATL-80
M53/M55 Howitzer ATL-80

Source: Friulmodel

Israeli M-50, Super Sherman (Dragon)

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This is the Dragon 3528 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Israeli M-50, Super Sherman’.

Israeli M-50, Super Sherman

History

The Sherman M-50 and the Sherman M-51, both known abroad as the Super Sherman, were modified versions of the American M4 Sherman tank that served with the Israel Defense Forces from the mid-1950s to early 1980s. The M-51 was also referred to as the Isherman (i.e. Israeli Sherman). However, the designations Super Sherman and Isherman were never used by the Israeli Defense Forces.
Source: Wikipedia

Manufacturer

Where I got it