Tamiya M18 Hellcat TANK Destroyer, 1/35th Scale
By Phillip Friddell on 2nd May 2022
Tamiya has been at the game of producing kits of armored fighting vehicles for quite a while now, having been a literal pioneer of both the topic and the now-standard 1/35th scale. Their recent release of an M18 Hellcat tank destroyer in that scale (kit number 35376) illustrates just how far they've come since those early days, back when many of their AFV kits were essentially motorized toys.
There are many adjectives that could describe this particular kit but "toy-like" isn't one of them. Molded in olive drab plastic and consisting of a substantial yet manageable number of parts (no; I didn't count them---I never do but you can if you're so inclined), the kit is entirely typical of what Tamiya produces nowadays. Scale fidelity is more than adequate, although some components could stand a little more detailing, and everything fits superbly; the assembly sequence is logical and well thought out. Tracks are link and length and fit perfectly but you'll need to take your time with those assemblies and, horror of horrors, actually follow the instruction sequence in order to get the best result. The barrel for the 76mm gun is one piece with a decent depiction of the muzzle and minimal molding seams in the part (no need for aftermarket here!), while the turret-mounted M2 Browning is thoughtfully designed and a great start for super-detailing.
With that said, some of the detailing is very much to scale in this kit and there are a few components, such as lifting eyes, that will challenge less-experienced modelers due to their size. The interior of the turret is literally crammed with parts and gives a good representation of the interior of this vehicle, although the more advanced modeler will almost inevitably gravitate towards the use of aftermarket (if there is any) to round out the detailing in there.
The completed model presents well and there's absolutely no mistaking what it is. Construction is simple and linear and there are few pitfalls as long as you're capable of dealing with the miniscule size of some of the components, and with the plethora of potentially delicate rails that live on the turret. Those components, as well as the guards over the lights and horn on the bow of the vehicle, require a light touch and could prove challenging to some folks. The kit isn't at all difficult to work with but some modeling skills are required!
This model was built using only what came in the box including the markings, which allow us to build either one of two vehicles from the 805th Tank Destroyer Company as used in Italy during the Spring of 1945. Those decals are complete and easy to use, although the real vehicle was reasonably ubiquitous and it would have been nice had the model included markings for additional vehicles, say from Northern Europe, but the kit markings are certainly colorful enough. It's too bad additional external stowage wasn't provided with the kit as well; the kit supplies five ammunition cans for the turret-mounted .50-cal and that's it, an unfortunate oversight considering how heavily stowed most American AFVs were during the war. There's also a single figure which is well done, if not spectacularly rendered. It would have been nice to have a complete crew included but, in fairness to Tamiya, most modelers wouldn't have used them and the addition of stowage and figures would increase the kit's price point. Everything's a trade-off, right?
The real M18 was somewhat of a disappointment to the Army while in service. It was under-armored and under-gunned, at least for the European theaters, and its turret was extremely cramped. While designed as a tank destroyer, actual combat experience frequently found the type employed for infantry support. In use from 1944 until the end of hostilities with American forces, it quickly disappeared from the inventory once the war had ended. Many people would be hard pressed to describe the vehicle or relate its history nowadays yet it was an important, albeit minor, type in the Army's tank destroyer battalions. The kit is easy to build (with the caveats already noted) and will allow a solid model of the vehicle to be added to a collection. Additional detailing can easily put the model over the top---the kit is what our friends in The Former Empire would describe as good value for money---and its few shortcomings can be easily dealt with.