And nothing to do with them.
I would luv to see a M-18 Hellcat tank destroyer. It had a high velocity 76MM cannon and was blazing fast. 45MPH to 50MPH. And was produced in high numbers with over 2500 produced.
Here are some details.
Used by tank destroyer battalions in Europe. It was intended to be used in an ambush roll with its quick speed.
It first saw action in the Summer of 1944 in Europe. One unit to use it quite effectively was the 630th Tank Destroyer Battalion in July 1944 reported destroying 53 Panthers & Tigers and 15 self propelled guns with only a loss of 17 of their M18s.
Could penetrate 101 mm. Muzzle velocity 2,600 ft/sec.
Crew Commander, driver, gun crew (3)
Physical Characteristics
Weight 40,000 lb
Length w/gun 21' 10"
Length w/o gun 17' 4"
Height 8' 5"
Width 9' 9"
Ground clearance 14"
Ground contact length 9' 8"
Ground pressure 12.5 psi
Turret ring diameter
Armament (mm)
Main 76 mm M1A1, M1A1C, or M1A2
Secondary
MG M2 .50 cal Browning M1919A4, AA
Side arms M3 .50 cal Tripod mount
5: M1 Carbines
Grenades
Smoke Pots
Quantity
Main 45 (HE, APC, HVAP, Canister, Smoke)
Secondary
MG 800
Side arms
450
12
4
Armor Thickness (mm)
Hull Front, Upper 12
Hull Front, Lower 12
Hull Sides, Upper 12
Hull Sides, Lower 12
Hull Rear 12
Hull Top 8
Hull Bottom 7
Turret Front 25
Turret Sides 12
Turret Rear 12
Turret Top
Engine (Make / Model) Continental R-975 C1
Transmission 3 forward 1 reverse
Capacity 165 gallons
Performance
Traverse 360°
Max Speed 45-50 mph
Cross Country 20 mph
Road radius 150 miles
Turning Radius
Elevation Limits +19.5° to -10°
Fording depth 4'
Trench crossing 6' 2"
Vertical Obstacle 3'
Suspension (Type) Torsion bar
Wheels each side 5
Return rollers each side 4
Track length
Tires
Track width 14.25"
Track centers/tread 10' 10.25"
Production Buick 7/43-10/44: 2,507
