Tamiya is the master of well-engineered and molded kits that are easy to build and have enough detail to satisfy most modelers. The new M18 Hellcat epitomizes that characteristic. As an open-top vehicle, it needs interior features. Straight from the box, the turret and fighting compartment look appropriately busy — and cramped, so that you can really appreciate how tight the crew spaces were on the full-size Hellcat.
The kit includes a well-sculpted figure, link-and-length tracks, and clear parts for periscopes and headlight lenses. There are subtle differences between the two M18s included in the marking options, so you need to decide early — at least before Step 13.
The fighting compartment includes a floor with molded hatches and diamond tread, a firewall with molded mechanicals, and an electric motor. The kit doesn’t include driver compartment detail, but the gun and its associated equipment block the view in that direction. However, the hatches in that area are posable and have detail inside, so modelers may want to add those features.
The suspension and running gear went together easily. Polycaps leave the drive sprockets movable, a helpful feature when fitting the tracks. I left the wheels and tracks separate for painting. Fitting the tracks after the fenders are on is possible but leave the idlers off until the top run is in place.
The exhausts were molded with the upper hull. They, along with the compartment around them, will need to be painted before the rear plate and grille are attached. The only seam that needed attention was where the upper and lower hulls meet at the front; a little filler handled it.
The instructions call out decal locations, and there are a couple that should be applied before some tools are added. Don’t fit the shovel to the rear plate, the prybar on the port side, and the stowage baskets on the turret until after painting and decals or you’ll have to remove the parts. Trust me, I know.
Despite the number of parts and the tight quarters, the turret went together without issues. The three-part plastic mantlet dust cover looks great, but the gun’s elevation is not posable. Take care removing the scale-thin handholds and the brush guard that runs over the turret. The latter is particularly fragile, and I had trouble eliminating the sprue attachments. Further, I broke that part twice during decal application and weathering.
I painted the M18 with AK Interactive Real Color Olive Drab (No. RC023) and post-shaded with a little Olive Drab Faded (No. RC024). The decals went down beautifully over a layer of Mr. Color Clear Gloss (No. C46).
The sharp surface detail, including weld seams, popped under washes and dry-brushing. Using a fine brush, I dabbed olive drab on to chip the decals, especially the national insignia and the big, bright vehicle ID numbers.
The figure fits together well and has a nice, relaxed pose. I painted it with Vallejo and Andrea acrylics. The instructions include a 1/35 scale map to cut out, fold, and place in his left hand. He wears binoculars around his neck, but it lacks a strap. I used thin strips of tape painted black to represent it.
After getting the model together and photographed for the review, I realized I forgot to attach the tow cable, which is provided as a piece of string with separate molded ends.
Tamiya has given modelers a terrific Hellcat that is a blast to build. I spent about 20 hours on mine, a little more than a typical 1/35 scale tank because the open interior complicates painting. The result is a terrific addition to my display shelves, and I heartily recommend it to anyone with a couple of armor models under their belt.