Bolt Action: New M18 Hellcat Platoons
Two new plastic M18 Hellcat starter sets are available for pre-order!
There are two options to choose from:
Option 1: Hellcat Platoon – $80.00
Includes:
- Three 1/56 scale hard plastic M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyers
- Full-colour waterslide decal sheet
- Construction leaflet
- Bolt Action stat card
- Damage markers
After the experiences of improvised tank destroyer vehicles such as the M3 half-track with 75mm gun, M6 truck with 37mm gun and the M10 tank destroyer (3-inch gun on a modified M4 Sherman hull), the US Army were keen to produce a bespoke tank destroyer to hunt enemy armour. An order was issued in late 1941 to mount a 37mm gun in the requested vehicle. This was to be upgraded several times to 57mm, 75mm and then finally a 76mm.
The result of this development would be the M18 Hellcat – the fastest US armoured fighting vehicle of the Second World War.
Option 2: Anti-Tank Hellcat Section – $80.00
Includes:
- Two 1/56 scale hard plastic M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyers
- One 1/56 scale hard plastic M20 Utility (M8 with Greyhound option) kit
- Full-colour waterslide decal sheets
- Construction leaflets
- Bolt Action stat card for M18
- Damage markers
A standard tank destroyer platoon in 1944 would have consisted of 4 M18s with support from 2 M20 utility vehicles (for reconnaissance) split in to two Anti Tank Sections. This set comes with 2 new plastic M18 Hellcats plus 1 plastic M20 Utility vehicle (which can also be made into the rather awesome M8 Greyhound if you so wish) and includes all the new extras that the M18 comes with… perfect for creating a pair of reinforced platoons in your games of Bolt Action.
Brand New Features
The M18 introduces a brand new feature with our plastic kits – a special vehicle play card displaying all your key pieces of information including the full stats! As well as smoke and damage markers and new decals!
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Being armed with a heavy Anti-Tank gun allows the Hellcat to kill any armour without too much difficulty, except for super heavies. Keeping the M18 in reserve also allows you to get flank and rear shots, further increasing the effectiveness of that +6 pen. Don’t forget the HMG has +1 pen too, good for wrecking soft skins and anything else you want to unleash it upon.
For 155 points at regular you get an armour 7+, open topped heavy anti-tank gun. For an extra 25 points you can add an HMG, and for a mere 10 points further you can add recce too! 190 points for a speedy, HMG packing anti-tank beast? Bargain!
| Cost: | 124pts (Inexperienced), 155pts (Regular), 186pts (Veteran). |
| Weapons: | 1 turret-mounted heavy anti-tank gun. |
| Damage value: | 7+ (armoured car/carrier). |
| Options: | |
| May add a pintle-mounted HMG for +25pts. | |
| May be a Recce vehicle for +10pts. | |
| Special Rules: | |
| Open-topped | |
| Recce: if option is chosen |
Don’t have a US force? Pick up the Army book and get a free Chesty Puller miniature!
