American light tank destroyer M18 Hellcat COBI 2679 - World War II 1:28

M18 HELLCAT MODEL | COBI 2679

The tank model features a rotating turret with adjustable gun elevation. The turret with a floating mount can be easily removed to view the detailed interior. Under the rear cover is a Continental engine, which can be removed from the tank and displayed separately. On the right side of the hull, a hammer and spade are mounted in holders, while on the left side are two assembly bars and a drainage hose. A beautiful detail is the canvas cover over the gun mantlet and the front round headlights. The package also includes a figure of battalion commander Herbert B. Fowler and a printed nameplate block.

Did you know that:

The American tank destroyer was developed in 1941 as a fast ambush vehicle for surprise attacks in areas where trench warfare threatened to stall operations. Lightly armored with an open turret and an automatic transmission, the tank could strike with devastating firepower within seconds and then vanish at speeds up to 89 km/h. Hellcats proved exceptionally effective during combat in Western Europe. The American command also planned to deploy them during the planned invasion of Japan. Perhaps the most famous Hellcat was vehicle number C-22 of Company C, 805th Battalion, 5th Army, led by Herbert B. Fowler. The tank participated in3 exceptionally fierce combat in the Apennines and helped liberate Bologna. The end of the war found the crew at the Brenner Pass on the border of Italy and Austria. During demobilization in 1945, the tank was handed over to the allies, and markings including the inscription "Crock of Cognac" were repainted to uniform army green.

Under the military aid agreement, the Soviet Union also received several M18 units. During tests at the Kubinka proving ground, it turned out that American technology was too complex for Soviet maintenance crews and the automatic transmission was unrepairable under Soviet conditions.  The high command thus evaluated the deployment of Hellcats on the Eastern Front as unsuitable. Other users included Great Britain, the post-war Bundeswehr, Italy, Yugoslavia, Taiwan, South Korea, and Venezuela, where they served until the 1980s.

A total of 2,507 units were produced across several versions.

Technical specifications M18 Hellcat:

• dimensions: length 6.65 m, width 2.87 m, height 2.57 m
• weight 17,000 kg
• armor: front 25 mm, side 13 mm, rear 5 mm
• power plant: Continental R-975-C4 gasoline engine producing 343 kW
• maximum speed off-road 55 km/h, on road 89 km/h
• fuel tank capacity 625 liters
• fuel consumption 390 l/100 km
• range 160 km on road / 100 km off-road
• main armament: 76.2 mm M1 gun
• maximum firing range 14,700 m
• effective firing range 1,800 m
• accuracy at 1,800 m: 80%
• secondary armament: 1x mounted 12.7 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
• crew 5 persons

From the memoirs of commander Herbert B. Fowler:

“The command assumed we would face major enemy tank counterattacks. However, in the Apennines, we did not fight classic tank battles. Our M18s turned into a mobile artillery battery—we fired indirect fire over mountain ridges at German fortifications and provided immediate artillery support to the infantry where conventional artillery couldn't keep up. During the breakthrough into the Po Valley, the Hellcats' main advantage—speed—was fully demonstrated. We advanced so quickly that we gave the German troops no time to organize new defensive lines along the river courses. Our crews drove practically non-stop until we reached the Alps and the Brenner Pass.”

About the COBI building kit:

• the COBI 2679 building kit is made of 1,026 high-quality ABS pieces
• number of figures 1
• collection World War II
• scale 1:28
• pad printed - no stickers
• faithful design
• made in the EU
• compatible with other building kit brands
• recommended age 10+