COBI M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer #2679 | 1:28 WWII Set

Build the Hellcat: Speed, History, and Detail

The COBI M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer brings an American WWII tank hunter to your collection. Set #2679 recreates “Crock of Cognac,” a vehicle associated with the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion in Italy. Assemble its distinctive profile, explore the interior, and choose how to present the finished model.

With 1,026 pieces, this build offers plenty to examine as construction progresses. Its open turret and long barrel create a recognizable silhouette. Meanwhile, the historical markings connect your finished model to a particular vehicle and the soldiers who operated it.

COBI M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer Features

• Rotating, detachable turret: Position the turret or remove it to examine the crew compartment.
• Accessible interior: Opening armor sections reveal details beneath the exterior.
• Removable engine: Take out the brick-built engine for a closer look.
• Working tracks: Reposition the vehicle for your display.
• Printed markings: Recreate the appearance of “Crock of Cognac.”
• Commander brick figure: Includes a helmet, goggles, and M3 submachine gun accessory.
• Display plaque: Identify the finished model alongside your collection.

The Real Hellcat: Mobility with a Purpose

The M18 Hellcat was an American tank destroyer designed around mobility and a turret-mounted 76mm gun. Its lightweight construction helped crews move quickly between positions. However, thin armor and an open turret left them exposed to threats that heavier protection might have reduced.

Successful operation depended on more than speed. Crews needed favorable terrain, concealment, and coordination with other forces. The Hellcat’s design encouraged builders and historians alike to consider the trade-offs between firepower, protection, and movement.

M18 units fought in several important European engagements. These included Arracourt in France and the defense of the Bastogne area during the Battle of the Bulge. Explore the history of the M18 Hellcat to learn more about its development and combat service. en.wikipedia.org

A Connection to the Italian Campaign

The 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion received Hellcats during the summer of 1944. Before that conversion, it had fought in North Africa and served in Italy with towed anti-tank guns.

Although equipped with mobile tank destroyers, the battalion continued to perform substantial artillery duties. Its later service included the advance toward Bologna and the Brenner Pass. This history gives the model a useful educational connection: wartime vehicles often carried out a wider range of missions than their names suggest. tankdestroyer.net

Product Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the COBI M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer have an interior?
Yes. The model includes crew-compartment details and a removable engine. You can display it assembled or expose these areas for a maintenance-themed arrangement.

Does the turret rotate, and do the tracks move?
Yes. The turret rotates and detaches, and the tracks operate. These features provide several ways to position the model when setting up a scene or photographing your collection.

Which historical Hellcat does set #2679 represent?
It represents “Crock of Cognac” of the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion in Italy. That specific identity makes the set a starting point for researching the unit’s wartime service.

Will it match the scale of my other military models?
This Hellcat is 1:28 scale. Choose other 1:28 vehicles when consistent proportions matter in a shared scene. Models in other scales can still sit together in a broader collection, but their relative sizes will differ.

Build a Collection with a Story

For another American armored subject, explore the COBI Sherman M4A2E8(76)W Tank #3118. That model uses 1:35 scale, so consider a separate display position if you want to preserve a consistent sense of size.

Whether you enjoy the construction process, historical research, or arranging finished vehicles, this Hellcat offers several ways to engage with its subject. Add a photograph or a short unit-history card beside your model to make the display more personal and informative.