The first T70 pilot was completed by April 1943. To improve over the T67, the twin Buick engines were swapped out with a single Continental R-975-C1 radial engine. The coil spring suspension of the T67 was also replaced by torsion bars. The turret was also redesigned to better house the larger 76 mm gun.
In Late July 1943, the Armored Board was directed to consider using the T70 as a light tank. A test program initiated at Fort Knox determined the T70's performance, protection, and firepower all me the requirements for a light tank. However, the idea was rejected later in January the following year. The major objections cite the thin armor could be penetrated by small-arms fire, and the open-top turret exposed the crew to explosive blasts.
Production of the T70 began in June 1943. The T70 was standardized as the M18 in March 1944, going on a production run of more than 2500 vehicles by the time production ended in October 1944.
 |
| Late-model T70 pilot. This is the version that would go into production. |
But don't worry, the 90 mm gun can be found on a new Tier VII premium tank. This "Super Hellcat" carries over all the improvements found in this new M18 Hellcat, along with the more powerful 90 mm gun and stronger turret.
 |
| Late-production M18. |
Guns: 75 mm Gun M3; 76 mm Gun M1A1; 76 mm Gun M1A2
Engines: Continental R-975-C1 (350 hp); Continental R-975E-C2 (400 hp) Continental R-975-C4 (460 hp)
Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): T70 Early (25/13/13); M18 Production (25/13/13)
Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): T70 Early (25/13/13); M18 Production (25/13/13)
Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): M18 TBS Early (17.7); M18 TBS Late (17.7)
Hull Armor (mm): 13/13/13
Top Speed: 80 km/h
My grandfather Peter John jamak was drafted in World War II as a Rifleman then became an operator on the M18 Hellcat he served on the Hellcat in a European theater he was promoted to Commander then sent back to the States and serve the rest of his time as a M18 Hellcat trainer I'm very proud of him the only thing bad about experience as far as I know was that his ears were always ringing probably from the boom of the Canon nonetheless he was proud to go to War to serve his country and I'm proud of him we have a picture of him looking to the right in his army uniform with a big patch that showed a panther biting a tank in half on his shoulder God bless all that have served
ReplyDelete