M18 hellcat build
10-10-2012, 04:58 AM
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M18 hellcat build
Hi all,
Here's a couple of pics of my latest build.
This is the first of two Hellcats I'm doing a using a narrowed M41 chassis.
She's not 100% accurate but I think she'll be a fair representation
Here's a couple of pics of my latest build.
This is the first of two Hellcats I'm doing a using a narrowed M41 chassis.
She's not 100% accurate but I think she'll be a fair representation
10-10-2012, 06:02 AM
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RE: M18 hellcat build
Hi Herman,
Yes the tracks are pzr3, and the hull was just sliced down the middle removing 10mm then re-glueing. the pic isn't the best but you can see the join. I couldn't get it to the correct width due to the motors and the gearboxes touching which is why she's slightly overscale
Yes the tracks are pzr3, and the hull was just sliced down the middle removing 10mm then re-glueing. the pic isn't the best but you can see the join. I couldn't get it to the correct width due to the motors and the gearboxes touching which is why she's slightly overscale
10-11-2012, 10:15 AM
#12
RE: M18 hellcat build
Are you going to use a dust cover to hide the M52 mantlet you used?
Other than that it looks great.
~ Jeff
Other than that it looks great.
~ Jeff
10-11-2012, 10:27 AM
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RE: M18 hellcat build
Thanks for the massive picture showing me that the mantlet is wrong
Seriously though, I used the sherman set up to make it easy to fit elevation and recoil and as I'm not too bothered about being 100%, it's close enough for me
Seriously though, I used the sherman set up to make it easy to fit elevation and recoil and as I'm not too bothered about being 100%, it's close enough for me
10-11-2012, 10:33 AM
#14
RE: M18 hellcat build
Yeah... I've never seen it do that before with the extra large size. At least you can't say you didn't see it. 
I'm sure everyone knows you used that part, so it wasn't too big a secret. Just thought I'd show what it COULD look like. A tarp would make it even better.
~ Jeff
At least you can't say you didn't see it. I'm sure everyone knows you used that part, so it wasn't too big a secret. Just thought I'd show what it COULD look like.
A tarp would make it even better.~ Jeff
10-11-2012, 10:38 AM
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RE: M18 hellcat build
LOL you're right there Jeff, I've got no excuse.
I did toy with putting the dust cover on, but there's something about it I don't like, I'm not sure but I think it looks a bit un-tidy.
Saying that though I may put a Sherman style cover on just to cover the gaps.
I did toy with putting the dust cover on, but there's something about it I don't like, I'm not sure but I think it looks a bit un-tidy.
Saying that though I may put a Sherman style cover on just to cover the gaps.
10-11-2012, 01:29 PM
#16
RE: M18 hellcat build
ORIGINAL: fynsdad
LOL you're right there Jeff, I've got no excuse.
I did toy with putting the dust cover on, but there's something about it I don't like, I'm not sure but I think it looks a bit un-tidy.
Saying that though I may put a Sherman style cover on just to cover the gaps.
LOL you're right there Jeff, I've got no excuse.
I did toy with putting the dust cover on, but there's something about it I don't like, I'm not sure but I think it looks a bit un-tidy.
Saying that though I may put a Sherman style cover on just to cover the gaps.
Gentlemen.....
Am I the only one on this forum who is aware of the little known and long forgotten facts about this Hellcat? I happen to be one of the fortunate few people who has unrestricted access and security clearance to research the Aberdeen Proving Grounds Archival Vaults. The test results for this mantle modification have been tucked away in an underground storage facility since the end of WWII. My uncle, Albat Ross, was a test design engineer/driver/gunner/loader/commander for the M18 XSM (eXperimental Sherman Mantle) project. He took many photographs of this mantle conversion during and after the test trials, and I would like to post them here, but unfortunately they were all lost in a mysterious fire many years ago. What a shame. However, my memory of that photographic documentation is very good and I can confirm that fynsdad has accurately duplicated the mantle of the M18 XSN "Hell Tiger". It was decided to rename the Hellcat to make it sound more fierce and kick butt nasty. The project was terminated at the end of the war and everyone was sworn to secrecy for 60 years. Finally, the truth can be told.
Rex
10-11-2012, 01:53 PM
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RE: M18 hellcat build
ORIGINAL: Rex Ross
~~~~~~~
Gentlemen.....
Am I the only one on this forum who is aware of the little known and long forgotten facts about this Hellcat? I happen to be one of the fortunate few people who has unrestricted access and security clearance to research the Aberdeen Proving Grounds Archival Vaults. The test results for this mantle modification have been tucked away in an underground storage facility since the end of WWII. My uncle, Albat Ross, was a test design engineer/driver/gunner/loader/commander for the M18 XSM (eXperimental Sherman Mantle) project. He took many photographs of this mantle conversion during and after the test trials, and I would like to post them here, but unfortunately they were all lost in a mysterious fire many years ago. What a shame. However, my memory of that photographic documentation is very good and I can confirm that fynsdad has accurately duplicated the mantle of the M18 XSN "Hell Tiger". It was decided to rename the Hellcat to make it sound more fierce and kick butt nasty. The project was terminated at the end of the war and everyone was sworn to secrecy for 60 years. Finally, the truth can be told.
Rex
ORIGINAL: fynsdad
LOL you're right there Jeff, I've got no excuse.
I did toy with putting the dust cover on, but there's something about it I don't like, I'm not sure but I think it looks a bit un-tidy.
Saying that though I may put a Sherman style cover on just to cover the gaps.
LOL you're right there Jeff, I've got no excuse.
I did toy with putting the dust cover on, but there's something about it I don't like, I'm not sure but I think it looks a bit un-tidy.
Saying that though I may put a Sherman style cover on just to cover the gaps.
Gentlemen.....
Am I the only one on this forum who is aware of the little known and long forgotten facts about this Hellcat? I happen to be one of the fortunate few people who has unrestricted access and security clearance to research the Aberdeen Proving Grounds Archival Vaults. The test results for this mantle modification have been tucked away in an underground storage facility since the end of WWII. My uncle, Albat Ross, was a test design engineer/driver/gunner/loader/commander for the M18 XSM (eXperimental Sherman Mantle) project. He took many photographs of this mantle conversion during and after the test trials, and I would like to post them here, but unfortunately they were all lost in a mysterious fire many years ago. What a shame. However, my memory of that photographic documentation is very good and I can confirm that fynsdad has accurately duplicated the mantle of the M18 XSN "Hell Tiger". It was decided to rename the Hellcat to make it sound more fierce and kick butt nasty. The project was terminated at the end of the war and everyone was sworn to secrecy for 60 years. Finally, the truth can be told.
Rex
10-11-2012, 06:18 PM
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RE: M18 hellcat build
Hi Guys
Nice job on the Hellcat, hadn't noticed the mantlet so much as the idler. The M18 & early M41's both had those lightened/holed (or holy) idlers.
Mal
Nice job on the Hellcat, hadn't noticed the mantlet so much as the idler. The M18 & early M41's both had those lightened/holed (or holy) idlers.
Mal
10-12-2012, 02:17 PM
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RE: M18 hellcat build
I'm sure Rex can back me up here, due to the increased wieght of the XSM on the "helltiger" it was found that the rear idler needed to be heavier to act as a counterbalance....either that or it was what came on the HL chassis I've used
10-12-2012, 02:55 PM
#21
RE: M18 hellcat build
I think it's amazing. It's great that people are modeling those rare experimental varients. I love the M18 XSM, it would have kicked a** if it had gone into mass production.
The only thing that bothers me is that you got your axe backwards.
The only thing that bothers me is that you got your axe backwards.
10-13-2012, 01:07 AM
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RE: M18 hellcat build
ORIGINAL: Pah co chu puk
I think it's amazing. It's great that people are modeling those rare experimental varients. I love the M18 XSM, it would have kicked a** if it had gone into mass production.
The only thing that bothers me is thatyou got youraxebackwards.
I think it's amazing. It's great that people are modeling those rare experimental varients. I love the M18 XSM, it would have kicked a** if it had gone into mass production.
The only thing that bothers me is thatyou got youraxebackwards.
cmon Frank get it right pmsl
10-13-2012, 07:12 AM
#24
RE: M18 hellcat build
ORIGINAL: AFV432
ohhh yeah nice spotting didnt even see that lmao
cmon Frank get it right pmsl
ORIGINAL: Pah co chu puk
I think it's amazing. It's great that people are modeling those rare experimental varients. I love the M18 XSM, it would have kicked a** if it had gone into mass production.
The only thing that bothers me is that you got your axe backwards.
I think it's amazing. It's great that people are modeling those rare experimental varients. I love the M18 XSM, it would have kicked a** if it had gone into mass production.
The only thing that bothers me is that you got your axe backwards.
cmon Frank get it right pmsl
Gentlemen......
Upon further investigation into the matter of the positioning of the pioneer tools .... specifically, the axe .... my archival documentation supports the placement on the M18 XSM as correct. When it is mounted in this position it would be accessible to either a left handed or a right handed crew member, or even an ambidexterous individual. There's a reason for everything.
Rex
