Good video!! Have this kit pre-ordered from you a few weeks ago, and waiting in giddy anticipation for its arrival!!! Have built the Academy version of this kit when it came out about a dozen years ago or so, it was OK and filled the empty spot in Allied TDs. Appears that this Tamiya version will be vastly superior to that Academy kit. WHITE 3-1 & YELLOW 3-2: appears that the markings for the vehicle would be in the same company. Thus WHITE would indicate 1st Platoon and YELLOW would indicate 2nd Platoon. Have done the same thing when I was in the US Army - each platoon would have its own identifying colors/symbols for quick recognition from far away. The US Army still practices this today.
I wonder how it will compare with the Academy and AFV Club kits? I like how Tamiya did the canvas mantlet cover and the tracks. Unfortunately they followed the example of their M10 kit and did not include driver's area interior parts. Also, it's too bad that they only included one figure, instead of an "in action" crew like in the M10, Su-76, and Wespe.
I've built academy brand before. Academy's version is released in 1997, therefore it lacks some notable feature like the 76mm Auxiliary Telescogic gun sight details. It's also reproduced and reboxed by Airfix last year for their release in Europe AFAIK. Looking at the instruction and sprue parts offered by Tamiya, i'd say the quality is on par with the AFV club. AFV club's biggest drawback is perhaps its availability, and when you compare it to Tamiya, tamiya has the advantage of both good quality with availability in the market. The added bonus is that Tamiya's version also has a similar track link assembly to Academy's (in Academy they offer both rubber track or a segmented track link sprues option)
@@willthorson4543 I kinda forgot that they have fitting issue as well, which what i experienced when assembling their M1128 kit. And as said before, availability of AFV club kits in the market is not that large, and most of my assumption of this kit is based on the details presented by other that has build them. Heck, i never seen this kit being sold from where i came from since it was introduced, unless you preorder them on your own.
I see Tamiya have gone to the "glue together track", rather than their "rubber band tracks" of previous models. As always a "top notch" model, from the Premium Model Maker.
Man I love Tamiya kits. Alongside Airfix (maybe Italeri and Revell as well) they are the kings of the hobby. Sure you can get higher quality kits for different manufacturers but their prevalence and overall general awesome value makes them central to making the hobby accessible to everyone whether you're a beginner or looking to do your 50th kit. Looks like another banging kit from Tamiya here.
I totally agree with you, those manufacturers make buildable kits that won't take forever to finish regardless of their problems. I particularly like Tamiya and Italeri.
From what I know about the armored history and the M18 is that it should be White not yellow, there are some cases of it being yellow but I think that was only for a few armored cores and companys.
Hello andy I live nearby and like to stop by with my dad at your store for paints. You inspired me to start filming my own models and put them here on youtube. As always, great video too!
Looks a fantastic kit Andy, when I saw it was coming out I thought maybe it was going to be a re-box of the AFV Club version but thankfully that concept has been dismissed. Great review as always.
Looks great Andy Thx for sharing awesome !!!! Keep those Tanks a rolling in!!!! That slide molded barrel is sweet , detail looks like tip notch Tamiya!!!!! Please build and paint video on this kit Andy!!!😁
Can't go wrong with Tamiya military model kits...no other model companies kits come close to Tamiya..for its quality, simplicity, but detailed ( for example, so many cluttered sprues, parts from Meng, Dragon, Trumpeter) , easy to follow instructions, very appealing box art, and so many varieties of model kits. Tamiya raised its model prices lately. Think, that's only issue that I can say for this company.
Hi Andy, that was a excellent review, I look forward to your build of this kit, I think Tamiya are bringing ouf some great detail on their kit, if only they would start applying anti-slip to their modern armour, take care and keep safe, bedt regards from a Kiwi living in Australia.
Preordered this today. Wish they had included a bit more interior details but I’m sure aftermarket will fill the void. Looks like typical Tamiya engineering. Looking forward to this release.
I agree, with some tank models, especially American tanks that have no "sag". But at least it's not as bad as those pesky individual track links. I always thought they were a pain. I've built Panthers and Tigers that people have thought I used individual tracks when I tell them they're "rubber band" tracks they're surprised. I always say why make a kit so hard that young people will get turned off from hobby.
I am not a fan of in-box reviews, at all, so thanks for keeping it relatively short! Amazing kit though, can’t believe it has taken this long for a good M18 kit, already have one on pre-order. Probably the best vehicle the Americans had and with the right ammo, absolutely deadly!
Looks like a sweet kit! Little disappointed that it only comes with 1 crew member though. Seeing multiple Hellcats in action, I was surprised at how fast the vehicle can move.
Hi Andy, Looks terrific! I already ordered one for myself to. My question to you and the other readers is whitch AT units (using the M18) were actually fighting in the Normany/Bretagne regions in summer '44 ? Hope for some reactions, thank's.
I hate those who always comment with.... "o that's wrong...It it suppost to be..." What do they know? The truth is on the battlefield.....Not in books,the internet or by their "knowledge".
Can’t wait! Can never find good gellkitty kits anywhere. I’ll have to wait for the second wave though. Didn’t find out about the preorder until they were sold out.
The number backgrounds being yellow isn't incorrect. 3-2 did have yellow identifiers on her. But they should be a kinda pale yellow instead of being orangeish yellow. So they got the shade of yellow wrong, but most people will probably put 3-1 on their kits anyways. But it doesn't look bad at all, which I've always had an issue with tamiya just reboxing old kits (M42 Duster and the M41 Walker Bulldog cough cough) but I'll say it's not bad. I can agree with some people on here, however, that they should have included a full crew at the least. Especially with that dang near 60 USD price tag.
The M2 looks like Tasca/Asuka's. Tamiya and Asuka have been doing crossovers for a while, so I guess Tamiya us using Asuka's M2. This is a much better .50 cal than the one you usually get in a Tamiya kit.
That particular decal you mentioned (the tiger/panther biting a tank)... Didn't Avalon Hill game company used to put that logo on their computer wargames?
Hey Andy, I had a question about your store. How often are products restocked? I've been looking at the 1:32 Huey Gunship for a while, and now it's sold out.
Don't know about the yellow or white... Platoon colors ? Funny. Manufacturers usually don't think to make figures to crew the turret.. . since it's open.
The only thing I see that Tamiya has going for with this kit is the tracks, mantlet cover, and a good represntation of the 76mm gun. Most of the photos that I've seen of M-18's from WW2 the 76mm doesn't have a muzzle brake, but that being said some, especially very late war ones do.
I love Tamiya started in the 60s and I'm still nuts over there kits. Definitely on my Christmas list.
Hi Andy, I was a modeler way back when I was 13-16. That was 30 years ago. I’ve enjoyed your videos.
Ordered mine last night along with a 1/16 scale accessory set for the Stug!!
Looks great. I'll be buying when they arrive in the UK.
Good video!! Have this kit pre-ordered from you a few weeks ago, and waiting in giddy anticipation for its arrival!!!
Have built the Academy version of this kit when it came out about a dozen years ago or so, it was OK and filled the empty spot in Allied TDs. Appears that this Tamiya version will be vastly superior to that Academy kit.
WHITE 3-1 & YELLOW 3-2: appears that the markings for the vehicle would be in the same company. Thus WHITE would indicate 1st Platoon and YELLOW would indicate 2nd Platoon. Have done the same thing when I was in the US Army - each platoon would have its own identifying colors/symbols for quick recognition from far away. The US Army still practices this today.
I do love Tamiya kits. Look great and go together well
I have the same in my mind about tamiya
Yes they do
Great preview from a Tamiyaaholic. Definitely on the wishlist. Can't wait for your build. Keep 'am coming.
Another I must preorder kit! Andy, you are killing me.
Can’t wait to see the build and paint. Always learn from you Andy. Great looking kit.
I wonder how it will compare with the Academy and AFV Club kits? I like how Tamiya did the canvas mantlet cover and the tracks. Unfortunately they followed the example of their M10 kit and did not include driver's area interior parts. Also, it's too bad that they only included one figure, instead of an "in action" crew like in the M10, Su-76, and Wespe.
Like a 10 to a 5,5 and a 4.
I've built academy brand before. Academy's version is released in 1997, therefore it lacks some notable feature like the 76mm Auxiliary Telescogic gun sight details. It's also reproduced and reboxed by Airfix last year for their release in Europe AFAIK.
Looking at the instruction and sprue parts offered by Tamiya, i'd say the quality is on par with the AFV club. AFV club's biggest drawback is perhaps its availability, and when you compare it to Tamiya, tamiya has the advantage of both good quality with availability in the market. The added bonus is that Tamiya's version also has a similar track link assembly to Academy's (in Academy they offer both rubber track or a segmented track link sprues option)
@@erikakurosaka3734 thanks 👍
@@willthorson4543 I kinda forgot that they have fitting issue as well, which what i experienced when assembling their M1128 kit.
And as said before, availability of AFV club kits in the market is not that large, and most of my assumption of this kit is based on the details presented by other that has build them.
Heck, i never seen this kit being sold from where i came from since it was introduced, unless you preorder them on your own.
For the crew figures perhaps they'll do a separate box, with various poses.
I see Tamiya have gone to the "glue together track", rather than their "rubber band tracks" of previous models. As always a "top notch" model, from the Premium Model Maker.
Love this tank! Awesome preview!
Man I love Tamiya kits. Alongside Airfix (maybe Italeri and Revell as well) they are the kings of the hobby. Sure you can get higher quality kits for different manufacturers but their prevalence and overall general awesome value makes them central to making the hobby accessible to everyone whether you're a beginner or looking to do your 50th kit. Looks like another banging kit from Tamiya here.
I totally agree with you, those manufacturers make buildable kits that won't take forever to finish regardless of their problems. I particularly like Tamiya and Italeri.
Never was a fan of the Hellcat my favorite was the M10
From what I know about the armored history and the M18 is that it should be White not yellow, there are some cases of it being yellow but I think that was only for a few armored cores and companys.
The decals come in White and Yellow did you not see sheet when he was showing it?
Looks like a nice kit!
It’s like tamiya read my mind. I wanted a tamiya M18 for at least ten years and they finally did it!
AHHQ Drinking game - Every time Andy says Slide molding and Bathtub style hull you have to drink.
Im not dlunk! You shilly sit!
Hello andy I live nearby and like to stop by with my dad at your store for paints. You inspired me to start filming my own models and put them here on youtube. As always, great video too!
Excellent as usual. Thanks, E.
Looks like a great kit I will be getting this kit for sure Andy Steve
it looks awesome I've been waiting for this kit for long time
Just looked at your name and subbed im also interested in models.
Cheers
You and me both!
Yes! Tamiya is still my favorite kit manufacturer. This one will definitely be on my wish list this Christmas.
Tom S.
Can’t wait to see the build love these subjects
There’s a picture of one on Reddit ‘M18 hellcat crew at Christmas ‘ where the markings look yellow.
Nice video Andy. Looks like a nice kit.
Cant wait to see you building this model.
Looks a fantastic kit Andy, when I saw it was coming out I thought maybe it was going to be a re-box of the AFV Club version but thankfully that concept has been dismissed. Great review as always.
Great review, can't wait for the build 😲
Looks great Andy
Thx for sharing awesome !!!!
Keep those Tanks a rolling in!!!!
That slide molded barrel is sweet , detail looks like tip notch Tamiya!!!!!
Please build and paint video on this kit Andy!!!😁
Nice kit! Looking forward for its realese!
I would love to see an episode of How’s It Made for these models.
Great review...that ones going on my bucket list
I remember watching you like 5 years ago
Have to get one of these... I have actually seen those in combat, as we were using it during 90'war in my homeland🇭🇷
Can't go wrong with Tamiya military model kits...no other model companies kits come close to Tamiya..for its quality, simplicity, but detailed ( for example, so many cluttered sprues, parts from Meng, Dragon, Trumpeter) , easy to follow instructions, very appealing box art, and so many varieties of model kits. Tamiya raised its model prices lately. Think, that's only issue that I can say for this company.
Hi Andy, that was a excellent review, I look forward to your build of this kit, I think Tamiya are bringing ouf some great detail on their kit, if only they would start applying anti-slip to their modern armour, take care and keep safe, bedt regards from a Kiwi living in Australia.
This looks awesome! I hope i will be able to get it
Thanks so much Andy. You just made my Friday. I was wondering if this was a new kit and it obviously is! 🇨🇦
I already pre-ordered my M18s. Hope to use the second kit for a Super Hellcat conversion with the M36 turret.
Andy in your opinion which is the better kit the Academy of the Tamiya hellcat...you really gave the academy hellcat a great review in the past!!!
Preordered this today. Wish they had included a bit more interior details but I’m sure aftermarket will fill the void. Looks like typical Tamiya engineering. Looking forward to this release.
I like the detail
This is interesting. I have Tamiya's mid production M-10, and AFV Club M-36 Jackson. I do not yet have a M-18 so this is a stash contender.
Very nice Kit, but i so miss the old rubberband tracks. I love em
I agree, with some tank models, especially American tanks that have no "sag". But at least it's not as bad as those pesky individual track links. I always thought they were a pain. I've built Panthers and Tigers that people have thought I used individual tracks when I tell them they're "rubber band" tracks they're surprised. I always say why make a kit so hard that young people will get turned off from hobby.
@@genek8630 i totally agree. I don't get all the fuss about those tracks, i've used them very often and they turned out great.
I am not a fan of in-box reviews, at all, so thanks for keeping it relatively short! Amazing kit though, can’t believe it has taken this long for a good M18 kit, already have one on pre-order. Probably the best vehicle the Americans had and with the right ammo, absolutely deadly!
Looks like a sweet kit! Little disappointed that it only comes with 1 crew member though. Seeing multiple Hellcats in action, I was surprised at how fast the vehicle can move.
Good information and nice video
An m7 Priest from Tamiya with a tank crew in action would be a nice addition
Europe, UK hopefully get this around December, January time ?
Been waiting for a new M18 - hope it is more accurate than previous offerings! Tho hope there will be a metal barrel and metal tracks for the kit.
Hi Andy,
Looks terrific! I already ordered one for myself to. My question to you and the other readers is whitch AT units (using the M18) were actually fighting in the Normany/Bretagne regions in summer '44 ?
Hope for some reactions, thank's.
Definetely a purchase for me
Ooo, another one for the stash!
Kinda wish they gave an option for the barrel muzzle that you see on most of these hellcats
the Hellcat at Sloan museum doesn't appear to have either the white or yellow. I will try to get over there and see what I can find out.
Thank you.
very nice kit, wish it came with figures for the interior though
Oohhh… that’s worth getting for Christmas
With all these new releases I am going to be broke long before Christmas!!
That´s something I´ve really been looking forward to!
Nice kit wish i had one
I hate those who always comment with....
"o that's wrong...It it suppost to be..."
What do they know?
The truth is on the battlefield.....Not in books,the internet or by their "knowledge".
"It's only a model" - Monty Python and the Holy Grail" ;)
This will go nicely with my TD collection
wow good looking tank
Can’t wait! Can never find good gellkitty kits anywhere. I’ll have to wait for the second wave though. Didn’t find out about the preorder until they were sold out.
Hi we are not sold out , we have plenty
@@AndysHobbyHeadquarters Coming in!!!!!
FFS, that's another to add to the stash, at least when the wife leaves me, she won't want the models! :D
Now i need to get it but... Always one problem no money and time
It looked like the tracks have center guide teeth . If so , I think the lightening holes are actually to engage the track teeth .
Those a mud-relief holes, not lightening holes :) The sprocket engages with the track along its edges :)
I’m glad they made this. There was and is a real lack of quality American armor kits.
On the decals, 12 is the logo of the Tank Destroyer Force.
The number backgrounds being yellow isn't incorrect. 3-2 did have yellow identifiers on her. But they should be a kinda pale yellow instead of being orangeish yellow. So they got the shade of yellow wrong, but most people will probably put 3-1 on their kits anyways. But it doesn't look bad at all, which I've always had an issue with tamiya just reboxing old kits (M42 Duster and the M41 Walker Bulldog cough cough) but I'll say it's not bad. I can agree with some people on here, however, that they should have included a full crew at the least. Especially with that dang near 60 USD price tag.
I have the afv one this one looks a lot better than the afv one I hope you are going to build this one
Wow, M18 !
The M2 looks like Tasca/Asuka's. Tamiya and Asuka have been doing crossovers for a while, so I guess Tamiya us using Asuka's M2. This is a much better .50 cal than the one you usually get in a Tamiya kit.
Awesome 👍
I wish Tamiya make it also in 1/16 ;)
That particular decal you mentioned (the tiger/panther biting a tank)... Didn't Avalon Hill game company used to put that logo on their computer wargames?
Nice looking kit, but sounds little expensive for what is included imo.
That price is a grip !
I thought they said on the kit it was goong to bave workable single pin tracks
All markings should be with a white background. That is how they were painted during the war.
Hell yeah!
Hey Andy, I had a question about your store. How often are products restocked? I've been looking at the 1:32 Huey Gunship for a while, and now it's sold out.
What, American armor, the GALL-!!
決定版キットの一つ😉
早く作りたいですが、日本はまだ未発売です。
I might have missed it but shouldn't it have a muzzle break on the barrel?
No, the earlier types did not have a muzzle break.
*muzzle brake
It looks like a M-41 Walker Bulldog only with an open turret. Not trying to sound like an armor expert, far from it, but it does look very similar.
Overall look is similar but M41 was bigger, have different hull.
@@MichalKaczorowski
Thanks Michal?
Meng Chieftain soon?
Andy have you ever tried building anime model figurines like Bandai Figure rise standard or Frame arms girl?
Im getting one
Can You Please Combine The Panzer 4 With A Panther To Make Pz V/IV
Is it really Tamiya or someone else's in a Tamiya box
Oh yes, not more Avademy monopoly on a nice tank destroyer.
Don't know about the yellow or white... Platoon colors ? Funny. Manufacturers usually don't think to make figures to crew the turret.. . since it's open.
Wow
I want 1 ..........or a dozen
I believe that the Colour band should be white. According to reference material.
Make great kits
Well 50 us means at least 70 cad soo it had better be a lot better than Academy's which I can get for 36 cad
The only thing I see that Tamiya has going for with this kit is the tracks, mantlet cover, and a good represntation of the 76mm gun. Most of the photos that I've seen of M-18's from WW2 the 76mm doesn't have a muzzle brake, but that being said some, especially very late war ones do.
こんにちは。発売されたらほしいプラモデルです。
Hello