Tank vs Tank Destroyer was a concept developed to stop Blitzkreig style armored assaults seen early in the war. US Army planners saw the tank as an infantry support vehicle with machine guns and dual purpose artillery style cannon. As Armor protection steadily improved, tank killing capacity was only possible with hi-velocity, large calibre weapons. Using a light weight vehicle was considered the best and expedient option. Moving these gun carriages at high speed to "ambush" armored penetrations. The M10, M18, and M36 were developed as the face of that plan and the debate over their effectiveness and utility has raged ever since. One sucj vehicle is often on display in Phoenix and I have had the priveledge of playing with it on occasion.
The M18 was a new design with torsion bar suspension, small track, and the same radial engine as M4/M4A1 Shermans. Equipped with a high velocity 76mm gun the M18 had 1/4 inch steel armor and a top speed nearing 60mph. Making it the fastest AFV of the War. In several engagements with Panther tanks, the M18 turned the tide of battle in France and during the battle of the bulge.
This project will include a scratch-built hull and turret, Custom aluminum turned barrel, scratch built engine deck, exhaust, and air cleaner. Tamiya MFU/DMD and battle system. Metal PZ IV tracks and a laser cut sprocket. Lots of elbow grease and a little luck. Good thing there is a real local one for reference!!!
The project began as an HL Pershing with much surgery to the lower hull and includes a scratch-built upper hull and turret. 76mm barrel includes emitter. It uses Tamiya M4 Sherman MFU/DMD and battle system for the full option arrangement.
Obviously the PZ IV track isn't correct but it is a reasonable facsimile for our purposes. I plan to include a tarp to hide the internal turret components to make it full option/battle ready. The mantlet must be scratch-built and adjustments made to the recoil mechanism so it will fit in the turret. This will take time.
