During WWII, the M24 Chaffee light tank was officially adopted as a successor to the M3/M5 Stuart, and it certainly fit the bill: greater survivability with its low profile and sloped armor; improved performance with twin 110 hp Cadillac V8 engines and torsion bar suspension; and impressive firepower provided by the lightweight and compact 75 mm M6 cannon, a derivation of a weapon previously used on the B-25 bomber.
These improvements were borne out in the numbers: a top speed of 56.3 km/h to go along with greater off-road capability, plus the ability to defeat 60 mm of 30-degree armor plate from 915 meters. Manufacture began from April 1944, and in December of the same year it saw action in opposition to the German Ardennes Offensive; it would also go on to serve in Italy.
By the time of the surrender of Nazi Germany in May 1945 there were some 1,100 M24s deployed with units, and in the post-war years many M24s were supplied to NATO member states such as France and Italy, and also Japan and Taiwan: over twenty militaries in total. The M24 served in the Korean War, Indochina War and Vietnam War, and some militaries even kept it active until the 1990s.
About the Model
- This is a 1/35 scale plastic model assembly kit. Length: 159 mm, width: 87 mm.
- The compact, low-profile form is captured in style, based on extensive research. The model recreates a M24 of typical WWII specifications.
- Realistic depictions of turret front and gun shield cast surface patterns, plus weld lines across the model.
- The interior uses separately molded parts for the main gun breech and transceiver.
- Slide molded fender sides and gun barrel parts make for a detailed finish.
- The model can be assembled with the hull-side sand shields detached.
- Clear parts are used for light lenses.
- The hull rear rack uses a photo-etched metal part.
- Assembly type tracks feature one-piece straight sections.
- The kit includes 2 torso figures (commander and loader), plus 3 marking options including for vehicles in Italy and Germany and photo-etched rear panel rack.
The M24 Chaffee was an American heavy light of the Second World War. The first prototypes were built in 1943, and serial production was carried out in the period 1944-1945. In total, about 4,700 copies of this tank of all versions were built. The M24 Chaffee was powered by a double engine Cadillac Twin 44T24 with a total power of 220 HP . It was armed with a single 75mm M6 cannon, two 7.62mm Browning 1919A4 machine guns and a single 12.7mm Browning M2HB machine gun.
The M24 Chaffee was created as the successor to the M3 / M5 Stuart light tank series. In designing it, the emphasis was on stronger main armament (a 75mm gun instead of a 37mm gun), better shaped armor, greater off-road capability, and easier handling - especially in the engine compartment. During World War II, several specialized vehicles were built on the chassis of the M24 tank, including the M19 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and the M41 Gorilla self-propelled howitzer. The first M24 Chaffee began to hit the line in mid-1944. They took part in the battles in Normandy, France and West Germany (1944-1945), but also in Italy in the period 1944-1945. After 1945, the M24 Chaffee was also exported to many countries, including Austria, Belgium, Chile, France, Greece and Pakistan. M24 took part in several conflicts after the end of World War II, including the Korean War (1950-1953), the war in Algeria (1954-1962) and Indochina (1945-1954).
