Next up from Trenchworx is the M18 Hellcat. This will also get the winter treatment like the Sherman. Here's the opening of the box... goodies!
This instruction sheet is really handy. Each company has a different way of casting things like treads, so it is very good to have a picture of that piece so one doesn't mistake a tab for a gate or vent!
Just like the Sherman, the pieces fit together so well out of the box, it stands on its own, without even a touch of blu-tak.
Once again, a fantastic rare earth magnet set up for the turret. Better yet, I have noticed that the magnets even change size with the turret. This is bigger and heavier than the Sherman turret, and it comes with a bigger magnet
These views were shot right after the assembly. Since then, I have sculpted a bunch of stowage to give it a lived in look.
The casting is so fine on these vehicles, you have minimal amounts of cleaning, filing and so on. I didn't have to break out the jeweler's block and the razor saw to hack away massive gates and vents. Always a plus.
The tracks and drive wheels are especially clean and straight. This is the single most variable part in all vehicle castings. They can be a nightmare to deal with, and it's great to be able to blitz right through the process and have a tank with tread assemblies that are not tilted or distorted!
It's the little things that bring me joy.
