PMMS
M18 Hellcat Interior
Update Set No. 1512
&
M18 Hellcat Exterior
Update Set No. 1516

Designed for the Academy Kit
Review by Terry Ashley


Verlinden

The first of two sets for the Academy M18, this set comprises 87 cleanly cast resin pieces. The Academy kit has holes on the lower hull for motorisation, but you get resin plugs to fill these before starting to add the interior.
The lower hull is very busy. You get a full transmission to replace the kit part, but before fitting this there is the front two rows of torsion bars to be added and the mounting plate for the transmission. The two front seats and driver's instrument panel finish off the front hull. A new lower floor for the fighting compartment with nice tread pattern and other details. The rear bulkhead has heaps of detail included plus a few resin extra bits to add more detail. The moulded on ammo on the side sponsons is replaced with resin items. In fact the entire kit interior is replaced with resin bits with much better details

If the hull is busy then the turret is downright peak hour, with again most kit parts being replaced with resin pieces. Some surgery is required on the kit parts to accept the new resin pieces, but nothing that is beyond most modellers.
The turret ring is one piece with some detail included as well as numerous other bits added. One problem is the new part doesn't have the traverse teeth around the bottom section as on the kit part. All the footplates, supports and seats are replaced with resin items.
Again the gun breech is entirely in resin with excellent details and other smaller fittings added separately to give a very detailed unit. 10 spare ammo rounds and 6 rounds with protective caps are also included to add as you wish.

This all adds up to a very complete and detailed interior.

The Interior Bits
Verlinden

Verlinden

The exterior set has 56 resin pieces cast in the same standard as the interior. There is also a large etched metal fret with engine screens, wheel parts (see below) and other smaller items. Two lengths of copper wire are also included to make the headlight guards.
Parts include a completely new rear hull plate with separate details for good definition plus a large piece for the canvas cover over the gun mantlet. There is also a new muzzle brake with canvas cover if you would like one?
The most time consuming and challenging part of this set is the drive and idler wheels. The inside hubs are separate pieces with the rims, which contain all those lightening holes supplied as etched parts. Firstly you have to carefully bend the rims to the proper diameter and carefully attach to the hubs. The kit drive teeth are then added to the new drive sprocket units. This should prove an interesting exercise?
Resin jigs are provided to bend the headlight guards to the right shape (a nice touch). All the tolls are provided as resin pieces with the attachments in etched metal. The front hatches get new periscopes and interior details as well as other small hull details The rear turret storage bin has a searate top hatch and can be shown open if you wish?

There is the excellent new M2 .50cal to finish off the set, which along with the interior show build into a real show stopper.

While these sets are designed for the Academy M18, many of the parts could be equally useful in detailing the AFV Club M18.

The Exterior Bits
Verlinden

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