M18 "Black Cat" - Revision history

U133024660: /* Pros and cons */

2023-01-31T18:39:06Z

‎Pros and cons

U44629479: /* Ammunition */ Converted to transclusion

2023-01-30T21:29:49Z

‎Ammunition: Converted to transclusion

U38088265: /* In-game description */ Reformatted

2022-10-24T21:34:19Z

‎In-game description: Reformatted

U44629479: Edits

2022-09-29T12:23:06Z

Edits

U44629479: Edits

2022-09-29T11:56:53Z

Edits

U44629479: /* Ammunition */ Updated data for the shells

2022-09-29T11:53:59Z

‎Ammunition: Updated data for the shells

U44629479: Edits

2022-08-27T17:39:04Z

Edits

U102791832 at 04:53, 21 July 2022

2022-07-21T04:53:16Z

U9202753: New specs-card image / Small edit on 'Media: Images'

2022-02-19T05:44:23Z

New specs-card image / Small edit on 'Media: Images'

U38088265: /* Survivability and armour */

2022-02-17T10:04:53Z

‎Survivability and armour

@@ Line 187: / Line 187: @@
 ;Skins
 * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_m18_hellcat_black_cat Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 ;Images
-<gallery mode="packed-hover"  heights="200">
+<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
 Image:M18 GMC BC Insignia Garage.jpg|<small>M18 "Black Cat" unit insignia on the hull side.</small>
 </gallery>
@@ Line 196: / Line 197: @@
 == See also ==
 ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 * ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 ==== Ammunition ====
-{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+{{:M1 (76 mm)/Ammunition|M79 shot, M42A1 shell, M62 shell, M93 shot, M88}}
 ==== [[Ammo racks]] ====

@@ Line 231: / Line 231: @@
 Today, some countries in the world such as Yugoslavia still have the M18 Hellcats in reserves.
-=== In-game description ===
+{{break}}
 The 805th's M18 antitank vehicle was one of the most flamboyant. Its tactical designation was drawn in white against a black background. On the sides of the turret and body were white areas with two vertical black stripes and one horizontal one. On the sides of the body next to the mechanic's station was a roundel of a cat biting through the body of the tank. It was the custom in the division to give their vehicles names, but the first letter of the "name" had to be the same as the company's letter. So the first vehicle in company B was called "Black Cat".
 == Media ==

@@ Line 201: / Line 201: @@
 * M62 APCBC round has great penetration and lots of explosive fillers, rarely requiring more than one penetrating shot to knock out common tanks like M4s, [[Tiger H1]] or [[Panzer V Panther (Family)|Panthers]]
 * Low profile, reducing target size and allows it to hide behind small bushes or rocks easily
-* The nature of its thin armour means AP rounds have a tendency to pass straight through without damaging modules, and an APHE fuze may not even be triggered. For example the Russian 122 mm will over-penetrate, dealing little damage
+* The nature of its thin armour means AP rounds have a tendency to pass straight through without damaging modules, and an APHE fuze may not even be triggered. For example the Soviet 122 mm will over-penetrate, dealing little damage
 '''Cons:'''

@@ Line 199: / Line 199: @@
 * Overall mobility is superb, with very responsive manoeuvring that allows the Hellcat to excel in flanking manoeuvres
 * Fast reload speed and turret traverse
-* Stock APCBC round has great penetration and lots of explosive fillers, rarely requiring more than one penetrating shot to kill common tanks like M4, Cromwell, [[Tiger H1]] or [[Panzer V Panther (Family)|Panther]]
+* M62 APCBC round has great penetration and lots of explosive fillers, rarely requiring more than one penetrating shot to knock out common tanks like M4s, [[Tiger H1]] or [[Panzer V Panther (Family)|Panthers]]
 * Low profile, reducing target size and allows it to hide behind small bushes or rocks easily
-* The nature of its thin armour means AP rounds have a tendency to pass straight through without damaging modules, and an APHE fuze may not even be triggered. For example the Russian 122mm will over-penetrate, dealing little damage.
+* The nature of its thin armour means AP rounds have a tendency to pass straight through without damaging modules, and an APHE fuze may not even be triggered. For example the Russian 122 mm will over-penetrate, dealing little damage
 '''Cons:'''
-* Thin armour means rapid-fire autocannons, heavy machine guns, and aerial weapons could easily shred it. Beware of the [[R3 T20 FA-HS]], [[IL-2 (Family)|IL-2]] and [[Wirbelwind]]!
+* Thin armour means rapid-fire autocannons, heavy machine guns, and aerial weapons could easily shred it. Beware of the [[R3 T20 FA-HS]], [[IL-2 (Family)|IL-2]] and [[Wirbelwind]]
 * Commander is exposed at the 0.50 calibre machine gun mount, and knocking him out would render the weapon useless
 * Open-top construction means aerial strikes and artillery could rain havoc onto the crew
-* Gun has poor penetration in an uptier, often can't penetrate anything frontally unless hitting a weak spot. The [[Ho-Ri Production|Ho-Ri]], [[Tiger II (H)]] and [[M26 (Family)|M26]] are frontally immune to this 76 mm M1.
+* Gun has poor penetration in an uptier, often can't penetrate anything frontally unless hitting a weak spot. The [[Ho-Ri Production|Ho-Ri]], [[Tiger II (H)]] and [[M26 (Family)|M26]] are frontally immune to this 76 mm M1
 * Rarely reaches 50 km/h in Realistic Battles, even in a straight line, therefore can be outran by the Sd.kfz.234 series or the [[R3 T20 FA-HS]]
 * A moment of immobility due to a damaged engine or transmission could be a sign of impending doom for the M18

@@ Line 90: / Line 90: @@
 ! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 |-
-| M62 shell || APCBC || 149 || 146 || 133 || 119 || 106 || 95
+| M79 shot || AP || 134 || 132 || 121 || 109 || 99 || 89
 |-
 | M42A1 shell || HE || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7
 |-
-| M79 shot || AP || 134 || 132 || 121 || 109 || 99 || 89
+| M62 shell || APCBC || 149 || 146 || 133 || 119 || 106 || 95
 |-
 | M93 shot || APCR || 190 || 186 || 167 || 146 || 128 || 112
@@ Line 105: / Line 105: @@
 ! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 ! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
-! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
+! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>mass (kg)
 ! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
 ! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
-! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
+! rowspan="2" | Explosive mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 ! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 |-
 ! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 |-
-| M62 shell || APCBC || 792 || 7 || 1.2 || 14 || 63.7 || 48° || 63° || 71°
+| M79 shot || AP || 792 || 6.8 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
 |-
-| M42A1 shell || HE || 800 || 5.84 || 0 || 0.1 || 390 || 79° || 80° || 81°
+| M42A1 shell || HE || 823 || 5.84 || 0 || 0.1 || 390 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 |-
-| M79 shot || AP || 792 || 6.8 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
+| M62 shell || APCBC || 792 || 7 || 1.2 || 14 || 63.7 || 48° || 63° || 71°
 |-
 | M93 shot || APCR || 1,036 || 4.22 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 66° || 70° || 72°
@@ Line 127: / Line 127: @@
 ! Ammunition
 ! Velocity<br>(m/s)
-! Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
+! Projectile<br>mass (kg)
 ! Screen radius<br>(m)
 ! Screen deploy time<br>(s)
 ! Screen hold time<br>(s)
-! Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
+! Explosive mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 |-
 | M88 || 274 || 3.44 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 * Belly armour is 5 mm thick.
 * The hull underside right above the tracks are only 8 mm thick.
-* Tracks are attached the the turret rear, granting some 15 mm in thickness.
+* Tracks are attached the turret rear, granting some 15 mm in thickness.
 === Mobility ===
@@ Line 208: / Line 208: @@
 * Commander is exposed at the 0.50 calibre machine gun mount, and knocking him out would render the weapon useless
 * Open-top construction means aerial strikes and artillery could rain havoc onto the crew
-* Gun has poor penetration in an uptier, often can't penetrate anything frontally unless hitting a weak spot. The [[Ho-Ri Production|Ho-Ri]], [[Tiger II (H)]] and [[M26 (Family)|M26]] are frontally immune to this 76mm M1.
+* Gun has poor penetration in an uptier, often can't penetrate anything frontally unless hitting a weak spot. The [[Ho-Ri Production|Ho-Ri]], [[Tiger II (H)]] and [[M26 (Family)|M26]] are frontally immune to this 76 mm M1.
 * Rarely reaches 50 km/h in Realistic Battles, even in a straight line, therefore can be outran by the Sd.kfz.234 series or the [[R3 T20 FA-HS]]
 * A moment of immobility due to a damaged engine or transmission could be a sign of impending doom for the M18
@@ Line 219: / Line 219: @@
 ===Development===
-The origin of the [[M18 GMC]] design came as early as December 1941 with the requirement of a Christie suspension and a 37mm gun. This requirement called for a radical new tank design rather than a derivative of the M4 Sherman. These requirements changed as the war progressed, the first change was to the new and innovative Torsion bar suspension from Buick Motor Division from General Motors and another change was to mount the British QF 6-pounder gun then in use on their Churchill Mark III tanks, the developed prototype vehicle was called the T49 GMC. Then the army wanted the heavier 75mm gun used on the Shermans on it, this prototype was designated the T67 GMC. Finally, the army decided to mount the 76mm gun also in development for the Sherman onto the prototype, now known as T70 GMC. Changes to hull shape and turret took place to accommodate all these new requirements and armament, but it eventually was approved for service and finally renamed as the M18 GMC and started production in mid-1943, which went on until ending in October 1944 with 2,507 units produced. A variant called the M39 Armored Utility Vehicle was also produced, its turret was removed for space for cargo, 8 personnel, or to tow guns.
+The origin of the [[M18 GMC]] design came as early as December 1941 with the requirement of a Christie suspension and a 37 mm gun. This requirement called for a radical new tank design rather than a derivative of the M4 Sherman. These requirements changed as the war progressed, the first change was to the new and innovative Torsion bar suspension from Buick Motor Division from General Motors and another change was to mount the British QF 6-pounder gun then in use on their Churchill Mark III tanks, the developed prototype vehicle was called the T49 GMC. Then the army wanted the heavier 75 mm gun used on the Shermans on it, this prototype was designated the T67 GMC. Finally, the army decided to mount the 76 mm gun also in development for the Sherman onto the prototype, now known as T70 GMC. Changes to hull shape and turret took place to accommodate all these new requirements and armament, but it eventually was approved for service and finally renamed as the M18 GMC and started production in mid-1943, which went on until ending in October 1944 with 2,507 units produced. A variant called the M39 Armored Utility Vehicle was also produced, its turret was removed for space for cargo, 8 personnel, or to tow guns.
 ===Combat usage===
-These vehicles saw combat debut in the summer of 1944, where they are given the unofficial nickname "Hellcat" by the crews using them. Unlike the M10 tank destroyer that was built before it, the M18 GMC was purely made for emphasis on speed. Armour was restricted down to a maximum of 1-inch (25mm) on the turret front while the rest of the body plating is a measly .50-inches thick (12.7mm). The turret was also an open-top design similar to the M10 tank destroyer, meaning the crew are left exposed to the elements and enemy fire and shrapnel. These faults were mitigated by the fact that as its role as a tank destroyer, it was to have minimum contact with infantry and ambush enemy tanks in concealed position rather than face them in an offensive operation. Nevertheless, the M18 GMC were well liked by the crew for its 76mm cannon, which allows it to destroy the newer German [[Tiger H1|Tiger Is]] and [[Panther D|Panthers]] tanks from the front with HVAP ammo (though the Panther at close range only) when unable to flank around to the side or rear of these tanks. The speed was also astounding, reaching 55 miles per hour maximum, this makes the M18 GMC the fastest armoured fighting vehicle in World War II and was not succeeded until the third-generation main battle tank M1 Abrams. The name "Black Cat" came from the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company B where the naming practice for the battalion was the first letter of the company, then "Cats". Thus, a crew in Company B named their hellcat the "Black Cats".
+These vehicles saw combat debut in the summer of 1944, where they are given the unofficial nickname "Hellcat" by the crews using them. Unlike the M10 tank destroyer that was built before it, the M18 GMC was purely made for emphasis on speed. Armour was restricted down to a maximum of 1-inch (25 mm) on the turret front while the rest of the body plating is a measly .50-inches thick (12.7 mm). The turret was also an open-top design similar to the M10 tank destroyer, meaning the crew are left exposed to the elements and enemy fire and shrapnel. These faults were mitigated by the fact that as its role as a tank destroyer, it was to have minimum contact with infantry and ambush enemy tanks in concealed position rather than face them in an offensive operation. Nevertheless, the M18 GMC were well liked by the crew for its 76 mm cannon, which allows it to destroy the newer German [[Tiger H1|Tiger Is]] and [[Panther D|Panthers]] tanks from the front with HVAP ammo (though the Panther at close range only) when unable to flank around to the side or rear of these tanks. The speed was also astounding, reaching 55 mph maximum, this makes the M18 GMC the fastest armoured fighting vehicle in World War II and was not succeeded until the third-generation main battle tank M1 Abrams. The name "Black Cat" came from the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company B where the naming practice for the battalion was the first letter of the company, then "Cats". Thus, a crew in Company B named their hellcat the "Black Cats".
 While use in the Pacific theatre was limited due to the inadequate armour of Japanese tanks, it saw most of its service in the European theatre against Nazi Germany. Due to the lack in armour and emphasis on speed, the M18 crews utilize the "shoot and scoot" tactic in attacking the enemy from one position and quickly move to another before the enemy could find their initial firing position, this tactic confuses the German tanks, and could even lead them to believe there are more armoured enemy than what it appears. The M18 GMCs were present during the Battle of Arracourt in France as the 704th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Lt. Edwin Leiper led an M18 platoon of C Company and in the battle knocked a total of 15 German tanks for the loss of three M18; six of these German tank kills, most of which were Panthers, were credited to one M18 led by Sgt Henry R. Hartman. The M18 also played a crucial part in the Battle of the Bulge, where its top speed of 55 mph was finally put to good use in bypassing the enemy forces. Four M18 tank destroyers of the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion assisted the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in attacking the 2nd Panzer Divison and their support to kill the fuel lines to the German tanks. The overall attack had the M18 GMCs credited with at least 24 tank kills of the 30 total inflicted in the attack.

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 {{Specs-Card
 |code=us_m18_hellcat_black_cat
-|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
+|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 }}
@@ Line 242: / Line 242: @@
 ;Images
-<gallery mode="packed-hover"  heights="150">
+<gallery mode="packed-hover"  heights="200">
 Image:M18 GMC BC Insignia Garage.jpg|<small>M18 "Black Cat" unit insignia on the hull side.</small>
 </gallery>

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 {{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 <!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
-The main weak point of M18 is its very thin armour, a feature that actually allows the M18 to reach its high speed. The thin armour makes it possible for any enemy tanks to penetrate the vehicle. A single hit would destroy many critical components in the M18 or cripple the crew. The only saving grace with this extremely thin ammunition is that standard AP rounds may over-penetrate the armour, doing minimal damage to the internals. Thus, when facing the M18, it's best to use AP rounds with explosive fillers or HE and HEAT rounds while avoiding usage of pure AP rounds and APCR.
+The main weak point of M18 is its very thin armour, a feature that actually allows the M18 to reach its high speed. The thin armour makes it possible for any enemy tanks to penetrate the vehicle. A single hit would destroy many critical components in the M18 or cripple the crew. The only saving grace is that standard AP rounds may over-penetrate the armour, doing minimal damage to the internals. Thus, when facing the M18, it's best to use AP rounds with explosive fillers or HE and HEAT rounds while avoiding usage of pure AP rounds and APCR.
 '''Armour type:'''