Buick Overview

Buick built M18 Tank Destroyer Photos
Built at Flint, MI during 1943-44

This page updated 8-28-2019.

Buick M18 Hellcats undergoing final inspection at Buick.

Seventeen M18s in front of the Buick plant.

Location:  U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Collection, Fort Benning, GA 
Serial Number:  740
US Registration Number:  Unknown
Date Built:  December 1943
Date of Photos: 9-18-2018
Comments:  This was photographed in the maintenance shop undergoing restoration.  With the panels off, this allowed photographs of the interior of the final drive assembly, and how the engine can be slid out from behind the Hellcat.

The engine slides out on the two rails on the sides of the platform.  It does not take a crane to lift it out of the engine bay as with other armored vehicles of the era.

Location:  WW2 Armor, Osteen, FL (Formerly at the Ropkey Armor Museum, Crawfordsville, IN.)
Serial Number:  769
US Registration Number: 
Date Built:  December 1943
Date of Photos: 8-16-2019, 3-15-2019, 3-28-2016

I was able to see M18 SN  twice in 2019.  The first time was at the WW2 Armor facility in March.  The second was at the D-Day Conneaut 75 Reenactment in Conneaut, OH in August.

During my visit, the engine was out of the M18, and was being rebuilt.  The tracks will be replaced with M24 Chaffee tracks after then engine is repaired.

Below are photos taken the M18 was at the Ropkey Museum.

Looking through the driver's hatch the Detroit Transmission Division of GM Torqmatic automatic transmission is viewable.  The Buick M18 was the only tank destroyer to have an automatic transmission.

Here the gearshift handle is viewable along with the gear indication on top of the transmission.  On the floor there are only the accelerator and brake pedals.  A clutch pedal is not needed with the automatic transmission. 

Location:  WW2 Armor, Osteen, FL
Serial Number:  1240
US Registration Number:  40115116
Date Built:  February 1944
Date of Photos:  3-15-2019

When I visited in March 2019, the tracks had been removed to be replaced by M24 Chaffee tracks.  With the rubber pads on the Chaffee tracks, they will allow the M18 to go places and not tear up concrete or asphalt. 

Location:  American Armored Foundation Museum, Dansville, VA
Serial Number:  Unknown
US Registration Number:  Unknown
Date Built:  Unknown
Date of Photos: 11-8-2015

Location:  Buick Museum, Flint, MI
Serial Number:  Unknown
US Registration Number:  Unknown
Date Built:  Unknown
Date of Photos: 6-17-2011 and 6-28-2015

This photo was taken in June, 2011.  It was part of a combined Flint Buick and Chevrolet WWII display.

When I returned to the museum four years later in June 2015 the Hellcat had been moved a stairway erected to allow visitors to look into the turret.

Location:  Museum of American Armor, Old Bethpage, NY
Serial Number:  Unknown
US Registration Number:  Unknown
Date Built:  Unknown
Date of Photos:  5-30-2018

Every once in a while I get lucky!  My visit to the Museum of American Armor May 30, 2018 was one of those occasions.  The museum staff was in the process of moving many of the pieces of equipment outside make room in the building for a catered party that evening.  I was able to watch and listen to many of the vehicles as they moved outside.  The start-up of the M18 Hellcat was the most spectacular.  Author's photo added 6-12-2018.

With all of the smoke in the facility the smoke alarm was going off in the building at this point.  Author's photo added 6-12-2018.

This photo was taken before the engine start.  Lighting is everything it taking photos.  With the backlight from the windows the photos from this side of the vehicle give the M18 a brown tint.  Author's photo added 6-12-2018.

From the other side the M18 is a more green color.  Author's photo added 6-12-2018.

Author's photo added 6-12-2018.

Author's photo added 6-12-2018.

Author's photo added 6-12-2018.

Author's photo added 6-12-2018.

Author's photo added 6-12-2018.

A study in contrasts.  The M18 has transfer case in front of the engine compartment which allows the drive shaft to run along the floor of the vehicle to the transmission in front.  That along with the torsion bar suspension give it a lower and modern looking profile compared to the M4A3.   Author's photo added 6-12-2018.

Location:  National Military History Center, Auburn, IN - This was sold in auction in 2017.  Unknown new owner.
Serial Number:  Unknown
US Registration Number:  Unknown
Date Built:  Unknown
Date of Photos: 11-17-2013

Location:  US Army Heritage Center, Carlisle, PA
Serial Number: 
US Registration Number:  Unknown
Date Built:  Unknown
Date of Photos:  6-1-2017

Location:  Virginia Museum of Military Vehicles, Nokesville, VA
Serial Number:  2295
US Registration Number:  Unknown
Date Built:  Unknown
Date of Photos:  9-24-2016