Infinite Ordnance: M18 Hellcat

Description

Officially designated 76mm Gun Motor Carriage M18, the Hellcat was renowned for its speed and agility. Design of the M18 began shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack in December, 1941. The initial requirements were fairly short-sighted, calling for a 37mm gun. For a vehicle intended to destroy tanks, the 37mm was obviously a poor choice. Fortunately the design evolved, moving from the 37mm, to a 57mm, then to a 75mm, and finally the higher-powered 76mm M1A1 or M1A2 main gun (also used in later model M4 Sherman tanks).