By the end of the second world war, the production of World War II military vehicles had advanced considerably, especially in the United States and the rest of the West.
World War II tank technology was impressive, but even more so was that of the tank destroyer.
These faster, more maneuverable military vehicles were designed with one purpose only - to hunt and destroy the enemy tanks that battled against the Allied forces.
The most successful tank destroyer of the period was the 76 mm Gun Motor Carriage M18, aka the M18 Hellcat, a nimble destroyer that displayed the perfect balance of speed, strength, and firepower.
What Kind of Tank Destroyer Was Needed?
When the need to produce an effective tank destroyer force was identified in 1941, the primary goals were to create a design that was both faster on the roads and the battlefield as well as more maneuverable than any tank was, since that speed came at the price of thinner armor.
The tank destroyers needed to be able to attack quickly to fire armor-piercing ammunition from their larger guns without becoming a target themselves.
Resolving the Design of a Great Tank Destroyer
Although the first destroyer designs did just that, they were immediately sent back to the drawing board time and time again to replace their 35mm guns with larger ones.
Eventually, it was decided that what would become the M18 tank destroyer should be equipped with the same 75mm gun that was on the M4 Sherman tank, giving it as much firepower as the Sherman and other tanks on the battlefield.
When the design was completed, the 75mm gun had been upgraded to a newer, faster 76mm and it was this gun that made it onto the M18.
How Successful Was The M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer?
From its first days on the battlefield in the spring of 1944, the M18 was insanely successful, quickly earning its name as the Hellcat.
The tank destroyer was capable of top speeds of 55 mph and could drive on paved roads, dirt, and over bumps, climb over small structures, and even push down obstacles in its way, all while the big guns were being fired.
In total, the M18 Hellcat was responsible for 526 kills, more than any other tank destroyer used throughout the war, both in the Europe and Pacific fronts.
While some felt that the design was poorly executed and that the Hellcat’s successes were more likely due to effective crew, it developed a reputation of being one of the best and most memorable World War II military vehicles developed.
Look For the M18 Hellcat in Military History Museums
Although the M18 Hellcat design was retired after WWII, it was used as the basis of some new designs that were put into later use during other wars.
Surplus M18s were also used in the Korean war and could be found in use throughout the world until the mid-1990s.
Today, some can still be found on display in military history museums throughout the country and the world.