I'm looking to build one of these having seen a sweet dio in the FSM diorama issue. I was wondering if any allied modelers could tell me which kit is better (accuracy, fit, quality etc....) AFV club or Academy. Thanks!

esc71 - the debate on the merits and faults of both M18 HellCat models has been beaten to death on all the armor modeling sites.

Both models are nearly equal in the number of highpoints and lowpoints. The Academy kit is slightly oversized, the AFV Club kit is slightly undersized. The Academy kit offers the modeler more in extra equipment to dress up their model and might be a better bang for your buck. AFV Club does not and that wasn't important to me in my selection.

I chose to build the AFV Club HellCat, and I did use some interior components from the Academy kit to help flesh out the Driver's Compartment. I chose the AFV Club kit because of its fine detail, though it was a little undersized because having seen and photographed the real vehicle - I felt it better captured the "look and feel" of the HellCat better than a model that is oversized. Other modelers have a different opinion.

Which ever model you choose to build, I'm sure you'll do a nice job with it. Neither is perfect, but both can be built up quite nicely.

Gunnie

Also there are some boxings of the Academy kit that comes with both individual link tracks and vinyl tracks. To some folks, this is a major consideration.

Hi.. here is a link to a in depth reveiw of the Academy M10

http://www.kitreview.com/reviews/m10academyreviewcs_1.htm

I' ve read tons of info on both the academy and the AFV Club M10 and in the end I personaly choose the Academy offering. I have yet to build it but i've took a good look in the box and I think it may be my next project because it looks like a fun build.

and just to keep things fair here is a review of the AFV Club M10 by the same fellow.

http://www.kitreview.com/reviews/m10reviewcs_1.htm

later

I chose the Academy version with the individual links and accesories and price, it wasn't a hard choice