M18 Hell-Cat: 76 MM Gun Motor Carriage in World War II

The M18 was developed in an era when the United States fought tanks not with other tanks, but with specialized tank destroyers. With a powerful aircraft-style radial engine pushing it at up to 50 miles per hour, and mounting a potent 76 mm cannon, the Buick-built M18 Hellcat, or "Hell-Cat" as Buick's publicists named it, provided US troops with a powerful shoot-and-scoot answer to heavily armored German tanks. Further experiments were conducted to increase its armament or adapt it to other uses, such as the M39 armored utility vehicle. Through dozens of archival images, many never before published, as well as detailed photographs of some of the finest existent examples of these vehicles, this iconic tank hunter is explored, and its history is explained. Part of the Legends of Warfare series.

M18 a fost dezvoltat intr-o era in care Statele Unite luptau cu tancuri nu cu alte tancuri, ci cu distrugatoare specializate de tancuri. Cu un motor radial puternic in stil aeronautic, care il impinge pana la 50 de mile pe ora si montand un tun puternic de 76 mm, M18 Hellcat construit de Buick sau „Hell-Cat”, asa cum l-au numit publicistii lui Buick, au oferit trupelor americane un raspuns puternic de tragere si trage la tancurile germane puternic blindate.