Hobby Master HG3612 | M24 Chaffee light tank 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team near Yong-Dong-Po, South Korea, April 1951

General Background:

Because of several deficiencies a new tank was needed to replace the M-3 Stuart. The M-24, referred to by some as the Chaffee, was given angled armor thereby increasing its thickness. The M-24 was given a larger 75 mm gun as well as being the first US tank to use a torsion bar suspension. The M-24 didn’t do very well in Korea against the T34/85 so it was given secondary roles to the M26 and M46. The M41 Bulldog replaced the M24 in US service by 1953.

The Tank:

On April 22, 1951 during the Korean War the Chinese Spring Offensive, also known as the “Fifth Phase Offensive” began. It is estimated 650,000 Communist troops were involved in the offensive. The main target was the U.S. I Corps near the Imjin River and eventually the retaking of Seoul. The fighting raged until June 10, 1951 before the
attacking forces were finally beaten back.

Specifications M-24 (Chaffee)

Manufacturer  Cadillac and Massey-Harris.

Number produced
4,415

Crew
5 men

Dimensions
Weight (combat loaded): 20.25 tons
Length (not including gun): 16 feet 6 inches
Width (overall): 9 feet 8 inches
Height (to top of turret): 8 feet 1 inch

Performance
Engine: two Cadillac V-8s, 110 hp, gasoline
Maximum speed: 35 mph
Range: 110 miles
Fording depth: 3 feet 4 inches
Vertical obstacle: 3 feet
Trench crossing: 8 feet

Armor
38 mm turret front; minimum of 10 mm elsewhere

Armament
Main gun: 1 X 75 mm – 48 rounds / armor penetration – 70 mm at 500 yds
Machine guns: 2 X .30 caliber – 3,750 rounds, one in the bow, one mounted coaxially
with the main gun.
1 X .50-caliber anti-aircraft mounted on top of turret – 440 rounds