M18 Hellcat

The M18 Hellcat is a American tank destroyer. It is well known for its high top speed and its great penetrative abilities due to its high caliber (76 mm).

It was developed under the idea that the hunt of tanks did not need any real protection, but the ability to find and run down enemy tanks was more important as well as the good penetration of either one of the high calibers of the time (37 mm, 57 mm, 3 inch or 75 mm). But as the final drafts were finished a new caliber had been made available for testing, the M1 was using a caliber of 76 mm and was able to provide good projectile speeds at a lower weight than most of the other barrels/main armaments. The speed came from the new Wright R975, a motor with nine cylinders.

After the first models were constructed it was tested at the General Motor testing facility in Milford, where it was judged based on speed, maneuverability, it's ability to plow through barricades across hedges and through small rivers.

The construction of this new Tank Destroyer is said to have changed a lot in the dynamics of tank battalions since squads could forego the strict command structure and implement more flexible ways to adapt all the positive aspects of tank hunting into ordinary warfare.