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    Forums    The Military Channel    Show-Specific Comments    M18 hellcat ammunition error
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Senior Member
Registered: 10-26-07
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I enjoyed the show about restoring the M18 Hellcat. But as it got into the topic of the M18's ammunition, I groaned in disbelief.

The M18 used HVAP as its special ammunition. This is high velocity armor piercing. The show implied that it used hollow charge ammunition (like a bazooka). It had no such ammunition.

The HVAP basically had a small tungsten core inside the projectile that was surrounded by a lighter metal. This allowed great velocity and also great penetration into armor.

The sherman tank (with the long 76mm gun) could fire this same ammunition but I believe that the hellcat had priority over it. More than likely, TD units traded this ammo for goodies from teh Sherman 76mm guys.

A good show but a major error in facts.
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    Forums    The Military Channel    Show-Specific Comments    M18 hellcat ammunition error

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