Difference between revisions of "Super Hellcat"

From War Thunder Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Visual (beta)Wikitext
(Created page with "{{Specs-Card|code=us_m18_super_hellcat}} == Description == ''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle,...")
 
(Edits)
 
(41 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{Specs-Card|code=us_m18_super_hellcat}}
+
{{About
 +
| about = American light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = M18 Hellcat (Family)
 +
}}
 +
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=us_m18_super_hellcat
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
Following the introduction of the [[M36 GMC]] into the American tank destroyer units, there was a desire to implement as many 90 mm guns as possible to improve the overall American anti-tank firepower. One proposed method was to install the 90 mm gun into the [[M18 GMC]] to utilize the M18's great mobility. The design came about by simply placing the M36 turret onto the M18 hull. This configuration, nicknamed "Super Hellcat", proved suitable but World War II ended prior to the design entering production and issuance.
 +
 
 +
Introduced in [[Update 1.51 "Cold Steel"]], the '''{{Specs|name}}''' (or the '''{{Specs|pseudonym}}''') presents the firepower advantage from the M36 with the mobility of the M18. The 90 mm would allow the Super Hellcat more firing opportunities, penetrating more armour that the original's 76 mm may not be able to go through. The biggest benefit is the availability of the M82 shell, which coupled with the Super Hellcat's great ability to flank around the enemy can allow the shell to penetrate frequently into the enemy tank's side armour, utilizing its potent post-penetration damage to quickly neutralize the targets in as little as one shot.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and 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 helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
{{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.'' -->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 12.7 mm (63°)|| 12.7 mm || 12.7 mm || 8.0 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 31.75 mm ''Turret front'' <br> 76.2 mm ''Gun mantlet''|| 31.75 mm || 25.4 mm || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 +
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
 +
 
 +
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 +
=== Main armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 +
{{main|M3 (90 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[M3 (90 mm)|90 mm M3]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
|-
 +
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 45 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 22.8 || 31.6 || 38.4 || 42.5 || 45.2 || rowspan="2" | 9.75 || rowspan="2" | 8.63 || rowspan="2" | 7.95 || rowspan="2" | 7.50
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 14.3 || 16.8 || 20.4 || 22.6 || 24.0
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
== Weaponry ==
+
==== Ammunition ====
−
=== Main weaponry ===
+
{{:M3 (90 mm)/Ammunition|T33 shot, M82 shot (M26), M304 shot, M71 shell}}
−
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
 
  
−
=== Additional weaponry ===
+
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated: 2.13.0.66''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! 4th<br>rack empty
 +
! 5th<br>rack empty
 +
! 6th<br>rack empty
 +
! 7th<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''45''' || 41&nbsp;''(+4)'' || 36&nbsp;''(+9)'' || 31&nbsp;''(+14)'' || 26&nbsp;''(+19)'' || 19&nbsp;''(+26)'' || 12&nbsp;''(+33)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+44)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes''':
 +
 
 +
* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
 +
* Rack 7 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 11 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
 +
* This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 7 - 1 - 2 - etc. until 6.
 +
* Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-6 into rack 7. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.
 +
* Side racks empty: 26&nbsp;''(+19)'' shells.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 +
{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Pintle || 800 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== Usage in battles ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
The Super Hellcat should be very familiar to those who play the [[M18 GMC]]. It is very fast, equipped with a hard-hitting cannon, but at a cost of armour. Thus, the M18 Super Hellcat is a mobile hit-and-run vehicle, popping out from behind a cover and blasting the enemy with a shot before retreating. Change up the firing location often to avoid being hit if someone has located the Super Hellcat's position. The Hellcat won't hold the line by standing and absorbing shots, but it can if it is picking off each attacker one by one like a sniper.
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
 
 +
The main focus of gaining the Super Hellcat is the 90 mm upgrade, and it is absolutely beautiful. The main round recommended using well be the M82 APCBC round, the reason being reliable one shot knock-outs. The M82 has enough penetration to penetrate a [[Tiger H1|Tiger I]] through the front plate.
 +
 
 +
In an offensive and defensive position, the Hellcat should still remain behind cover and be constantly changing firing positions. Once a shot was fired, retreat back to cover and wait out until the next round is reloaded. In an offence, pop out from the cover occasionally and snipe at the enemy. In a defence, remain behind cover and catch the enemy off guard as they approach by letting them shoot a different target first and hit them while they are reloading. Another way is to let them move right into the Hellcat's line of sight, which should at best expose their sides, allowing for a shot to land an M82 APCBC round into them.
 +
 
 +
A more aggressive play style is as a flanker and a point-capturer. The Hellcat's great speed can allow it to get around an enemy concentration and shoot them on the sides while they are focused at allies in front of them. They may eventually catch on to Hellcat's presence, and the Hellcat should take a more conservative action by returning back to the shoot-and-scoot tactic behind cover. The Hellcat's speed can also be used to rush towards the point. Though not recommended due to exposing the Hellcat's to enemy fire, the speed can ensure the Hellcat will be the first on the point, with a 90 mm gun to defend itself. If lucky, the enemy team is too slow and the Hellcat will capture the point. If unlucky, the enemy will swarm the point, outnumber and constrict the Hellcat and destroy it. Thus it is not recommended to play as a point-capturer.
 +
 
 +
With good shots, the cheeks of a [[Tiger II (P)]] can be hit. Penetrating the Panther series (up to the [[Panther II]]) will require a clean shot to the mantlet and for the Panther II, a hit the flat of the turret. Same principles apply on Soviet mediums like the [[T-44]], hit the cheeks and turret ring. For Soviet heavy tanks, hit the lower glacis or the turret cheeks. Using the standard AP shot as a primary round isn't recommended as the fragmentation is minimal, same goes for APCR, which should be used only on the toughest enemies. Despite that, AP is useful against some enemies like the [[Tiger II (H)]] as the regular APCBC can penetrate the flat sides of the turret front. Use AP if there is a clean shot on the flat part of Tiger II (H) turret as it cant be penetrated by APCBC but if the turret is angled even a little AP well bounce so then use APCR same on Soviet heavy tanks. Little hint when using AP or APCR on German/Soviet heavy tanks aim for the right side to hit the gunner and commander, giving precious seconds to escape. AP and APCR isn't recommended to shoot the angled front plates of the German Panther and Tiger II's as the angle is steep enough to absorb the shot unless at point-blank range. The reload with a max reloading skill is 9.5 seconds which gives it a decent rate of fire.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Fantastic 90 mm gun with a very lethal M82 APCBC round
 +
* Pintle .50 cal machine gun is effective for anti-air purposes
 +
* High mobility
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
 
  
−
== Historical part ==
+
* Despite being on the same chassis as the regular hellcat, the super hellcat has, for some reason, very slow acceleration
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
* Open-topped vehicle with paper-thin armour, vulnerable to overpressure
 +
* Exposed crew, watch out for machine gun and artillery
 +
* A penetrating round, even if inflicting minimum crew damages, has a high chance of disabling the transmission or engine
 +
* Ammunition always stored in hull sides
 +
 
 +
== History ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
===Development===
 +
During World War II, the [[M18 GMC|M18 "Hellcat"]] tank destroyer was very effective in its role in American service. Despite that, an attempt to upgrade the vehicle with a better gun took effect around 1944. Instead of the 76 mm gun that it originally had, it would take the 90 mm gun that was going into service at the time.
 +
 
 +
The attempt to construct this focused on the turret to mount the heavier and larger gun. The M18's turret was then replaced with the turret from the [[M36 GMC]] to mount the 90 mm gun. Tests with this variant showed that the installation of the new turret did not hinder the speed performance of the M18, but the recoil of the 90 mm gun would cause the tank to bounce back heavily when fired, going back by at least 2 feet even with the muzzle brake attached on the 90 mm gun. The recoil force would also shake the entire tank hull and crew inside. The modified M18 mounting the 90 mm gun was nicknamed the '''"Super Hellcat"'''
 +
 
 +
===Testing and cancellation===
 +
Despite the drawbacks, it was deemed an acceptable vehicle to use on the battlefield. The 90 mm gun would provide a very large firepower advantage over the 76 mm gun the M18 had originally, which could not penetrate the front of the [[Panther G|Panther tank]] unless in close range with HVAP ammo. The 90 mm could take out most of the late war German tank designs with ease. However, the war ended before the "Super Hellcat" could be deployed for combat use, and the project was cancelled along with the disbanding of the tank destroyer doctrine.
 +
 
 +
{{break}}
 +
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 +
An experimental version of the M18 antitank vehicle armed with a 90 mm M3 cannon. Only one model was ever built. The impetus for the creation of this model was that 76mm guns had been shown to be ineffective against German heavy tanks on the Western Front. The re-equipping project was carried out on the Aberdeen training ground, which is where the vehicle's gun was also fired. Based on the results, the gun was equipped with a massive muzzle break.
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
  
−
== Read also ==
+
;Skins
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_m18_super_hellcat Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|ChdDCA2ob2Y|'''The Shooting Range #171''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:32 discusses the Super Hellcat.}}
 +
 
 +
== 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;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
−
''ETC.''
 
  
−
== Sources ==
+
== External links ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/791/|[Devblog] T-34-100 and Super Hellcat]]
 +
 
 +
{{TankManufacturer Buick}}
 +
{{USA light tanks}}
 +
{{USA premium ground vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 16:59, 16 May 2023

Introducing Wiki 3.0
This page is about the American light tank Super Hellcat. For other versions, see M18 Hellcat (Family).
Super Hellcat
us_m18_super_hellcat.png
GarageImage Super Hellcat.jpg
ArtImage Super Hellcat.png
Super Hellcat
USA flag.png USA
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
6.3 6.3 6.3
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:6 090 Specs-Card-Eagle.png

Description

Following the introduction of the M36 GMC into the American tank destroyer units, there was a desire to implement as many 90 mm guns as possible to improve the overall American anti-tank firepower. One proposed method was to install the 90 mm gun into the M18 GMC to utilize the M18's great mobility. The design came about by simply placing the M36 turret onto the M18 hull. This configuration, nicknamed "Super Hellcat", proved suitable but World War II ended prior to the design entering production and issuance.

Introduced in Update 1.51 "Cold Steel", the M18 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage (or the Super Hellcat) presents the firepower advantage from the M36 with the mobility of the M18. The 90 mm would allow the Super Hellcat more firing opportunities, penetrating more armour that the original's 76 mm may not be able to go through. The biggest benefit is the availability of the M82 shell, which coupled with the Super Hellcat's great ability to flank around the enemy can allow the shell to penetrate frequently into the enemy tank's side armour, utilizing its potent post-penetration damage to quickly neutralize the targets in as little as one shot.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull12 / 12 / 12
Turret76 / 31 / 25
Crew5 people
Visibility82 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 12.7 mm (63°) 12.7 mm 12.7 mm 8.0 mm
Turret 31.75 mm Turret front
76.2 mm Gun mantlet		 31.75 mm 25.4 mm N/A

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB90 / 29 km/h
RB and SB81 / 26 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
2 back
Weight22.0 t
Engine power
AB763 hp
RB and SB400 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB34.7 hp/t
RB and SB18.2 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 90 29 22 620 763 28.18 34.68
Realistic 81 26 354 400 16.09 18.18

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB2 010 Sl icon.png
RB2 417 Sl icon.png
SB3 115 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts340 000 Sl icon.png
Aces890 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 140 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 120 / 150 / 200 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 178 / 178 / 178 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Mods tank reinforcement us.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_M82_APCBC_ammo_pack
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods airstrike.png
Airstrike
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_M304_APCR_ammo_pack
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods scouting.png
Improved optics
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support

Armaments

Main armament

90 mm M3 cannon
Ammunition45 rounds
First-order11 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
9.7 → 7.5 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 20°
Main article: M3 (90 mm)
90 mm M3 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 45 -10°/+20° ±180° N/A 22.8 31.6 38.4 42.5 45.2 9.75 8.63 7.95 7.50
Realistic 14.3 16.8 20.4 22.6 24.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
T33 shot APBC 175 172 160 146 134 122
M82 shot APCBC 185 182 169 155 142 130
M304 shot APCR 287 281 259 234 211 191
M71 shell HE 20 20 18 17 16 16
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
T33 shot APBC 853 10.91 - - - 47° 60° 65°
M82 shot APCBC 853 10.91 1.2 14 137.2 48° 63° 71°
M304 shot APCR 1,021 7.62 - - - 66° 70° 72°
M71 shell HE 823 10.55 0.2 0.1 1,210 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Super Hellcat
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		7th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
45 41 (+4) 36 (+9) 31 (+14) 26 (+19) 19 (+26) 12 (+33) 1 (+44) No

Notes:

  • Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
  • Rack 7 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 11 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
  • This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 7 - 1 - 2 - etc. until 6.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-6 into rack 7. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.
  • Side racks empty: 26 (+19) shells.

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB machine gun
Ammunition800 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Vertical guidance-10° / 70°
Horizontal guidance-60° / 60°
Main article: M2HB (12.7 mm)
12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 800 (200) 577 -10°/+70° ±60°

Usage in battles

The Super Hellcat should be very familiar to those who play the M18 GMC. It is very fast, equipped with a hard-hitting cannon, but at a cost of armour. Thus, the M18 Super Hellcat is a mobile hit-and-run vehicle, popping out from behind a cover and blasting the enemy with a shot before retreating. Change up the firing location often to avoid being hit if someone has located the Super Hellcat's position. The Hellcat won't hold the line by standing and absorbing shots, but it can if it is picking off each attacker one by one like a sniper.

The main focus of gaining the Super Hellcat is the 90 mm upgrade, and it is absolutely beautiful. The main round recommended using well be the M82 APCBC round, the reason being reliable one shot knock-outs. The M82 has enough penetration to penetrate a Tiger I through the front plate.

In an offensive and defensive position, the Hellcat should still remain behind cover and be constantly changing firing positions. Once a shot was fired, retreat back to cover and wait out until the next round is reloaded. In an offence, pop out from the cover occasionally and snipe at the enemy. In a defence, remain behind cover and catch the enemy off guard as they approach by letting them shoot a different target first and hit them while they are reloading. Another way is to let them move right into the Hellcat's line of sight, which should at best expose their sides, allowing for a shot to land an M82 APCBC round into them.

A more aggressive play style is as a flanker and a point-capturer. The Hellcat's great speed can allow it to get around an enemy concentration and shoot them on the sides while they are focused at allies in front of them. They may eventually catch on to Hellcat's presence, and the Hellcat should take a more conservative action by returning back to the shoot-and-scoot tactic behind cover. The Hellcat's speed can also be used to rush towards the point. Though not recommended due to exposing the Hellcat's to enemy fire, the speed can ensure the Hellcat will be the first on the point, with a 90 mm gun to defend itself. If lucky, the enemy team is too slow and the Hellcat will capture the point. If unlucky, the enemy will swarm the point, outnumber and constrict the Hellcat and destroy it. Thus it is not recommended to play as a point-capturer.

With good shots, the cheeks of a Tiger II (P) can be hit. Penetrating the Panther series (up to the Panther II) will require a clean shot to the mantlet and for the Panther II, a hit the flat of the turret. Same principles apply on Soviet mediums like the T-44, hit the cheeks and turret ring. For Soviet heavy tanks, hit the lower glacis or the turret cheeks. Using the standard AP shot as a primary round isn't recommended as the fragmentation is minimal, same goes for APCR, which should be used only on the toughest enemies. Despite that, AP is useful against some enemies like the Tiger II (H) as the regular APCBC can penetrate the flat sides of the turret front. Use AP if there is a clean shot on the flat part of Tiger II (H) turret as it cant be penetrated by APCBC but if the turret is angled even a little AP well bounce so then use APCR same on Soviet heavy tanks. Little hint when using AP or APCR on German/Soviet heavy tanks aim for the right side to hit the gunner and commander, giving precious seconds to escape. AP and APCR isn't recommended to shoot the angled front plates of the German Panther and Tiger II's as the angle is steep enough to absorb the shot unless at point-blank range. The reload with a max reloading skill is 9.5 seconds which gives it a decent rate of fire.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Fantastic 90 mm gun with a very lethal M82 APCBC round
  • Pintle .50 cal machine gun is effective for anti-air purposes
  • High mobility

Cons:

  • Despite being on the same chassis as the regular hellcat, the super hellcat has, for some reason, very slow acceleration
  • Open-topped vehicle with paper-thin armour, vulnerable to overpressure
  • Exposed crew, watch out for machine gun and artillery
  • A penetrating round, even if inflicting minimum crew damages, has a high chance of disabling the transmission or engine
  • Ammunition always stored in hull sides

History

Development

During World War II, the M18 "Hellcat" tank destroyer was very effective in its role in American service. Despite that, an attempt to upgrade the vehicle with a better gun took effect around 1944. Instead of the 76 mm gun that it originally had, it would take the 90 mm gun that was going into service at the time.

The attempt to construct this focused on the turret to mount the heavier and larger gun. The M18's turret was then replaced with the turret from the M36 GMC to mount the 90 mm gun. Tests with this variant showed that the installation of the new turret did not hinder the speed performance of the M18, but the recoil of the 90 mm gun would cause the tank to bounce back heavily when fired, going back by at least 2 feet even with the muzzle brake attached on the 90 mm gun. The recoil force would also shake the entire tank hull and crew inside. The modified M18 mounting the 90 mm gun was nicknamed the "Super Hellcat"

Testing and cancellation

Despite the drawbacks, it was deemed an acceptable vehicle to use on the battlefield. The 90 mm gun would provide a very large firepower advantage over the 76 mm gun the M18 had originally, which could not penetrate the front of the Panther tank unless in close range with HVAP ammo. The 90 mm could take out most of the late war German tank designs with ease. However, the war ended before the "Super Hellcat" could be deployed for combat use, and the project was cancelled along with the disbanding of the tank destroyer doctrine.


Archive of the in-game description

An experimental version of the M18 antitank vehicle armed with a 90 mm M3 cannon. Only one model was ever built. The impetus for the creation of this model was that 76mm guns had been shown to be ineffective against German heavy tanks on the Western Front. The re-equipping project was carried out on the Aberdeen training ground, which is where the vehicle's gun was also fired. Based on the results, the gun was equipped with a massive muzzle break.


Media

Skins
Videos
The Shooting Range #171 - Metal Beasts section at 00:32 discusses the Super Hellcat.

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.

External links


Buick Division of General Motors
Tank Destroyers  M18 GMC · M18 "Black Cat" · Super Hellcat
Export  ␗M18 GMC · ▄M18
Note  Buick is a division of General Motors (GM).

USA light tanks
LVT  LVT(A)(1) · ○LVT(A)(1) · LVT(A)(4)
M2  M2A2 · M2A4 · M2A4 (1st Arm.Div.)
M3/M5 Stuart  M3 Stuart · M3A1 Stuart · M3A1 (USMC) · M5A1 · M5A1 TD · ▃Stuart VI (5th CAD)
M22 Locust  M22
M24 Chaffee  M24 · M24 (TL)
M18 Hellcat  M18 GMC · M18 "Black Cat" · Super Hellcat
M41 Walker Bulldog  M41A1
M551 Sheridan  M551 · M551(76)
M3 Bradley  M3 Bradley · M3A3 Bradley
Wheeled  M8 LAC · T18E2 · M1128 · M1128 Wolfpack
Other  M8A1 GMC · T92 · T114 · HSTV-L · CCVL · XM8 · XM800T · AGS

USA premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  LVT(A)(4) · M2A4 (1st Arm.Div.) · M3A1 (USMC) · ▃Stuart VI (5th CAD) · M8 LAC · M8A1 GMC
  M18 "Black Cat" · Super Hellcat · T18E2 · M551(76) · T114 · M1128 Wolfpack
Medium tanks  ▃Grant I · M4A5 · Calliope · T20 · M26 T99 · M26E1 · M46 "Tiger" · T54E1 · T54E2 · ▃Magach 3 (ERA) · M728 CEV
  XM1 (GM) · XM1 (Chrysler) · M1 KVT · M1A1 Click-Bait
Heavy tanks  T14 · Cobra King · M6A2E1 · T29 · T30
Tank destroyers  T28 · T55E1

Retrieved from "https://old-wiki.warthunder.com/index.php?title=Super_Hellcat&oldid=162865"