Hobby Master 1:72 Ground Power Series HG3606
M24 Chaffee Diecast Model
US Army 14th Cav Grp, 19th Cav Recon, Belgium, 1945 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| M24 Chaffee | | 3" | | 1.5" |
Late in WWII the M24 replaced the M5 Stuart and with its 75mm main gun became one of the first US designed tanks to be able to take on the German armor. The M24 was one of the first tanks to cross the Rhine as the Allies pushed deeper into Germany. The tank was quite unique by being able to house five persons in a light tank. The designers made sure the crew were able to provide adequate self-defense by providing two 7.62mm machine guns, one anti-aircraft 12.7mm heavy machine gun and 51mm smoke grenade-launchers. There were over 4,000 M24s built and because of its speed, agility and reliability over 30 countries added them to their arsenal well into the 1970s. This tank would prove to be more than adequate during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
After the tide turned and the during the "Battle of the Bulge" in late 1944 the 18th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron 14th Cavalry Group was tasked with the traditional cavalry missions of screening to the front and reconnaissance. On Dec16, 1944 the Germans launched their final attempt to change the outcome of W W II. The initial attack was so surprising and devastating that half of the 18th Cavalry Squadron had been killed or captured. When the Germans finally were repelled the remainder of the 18th was stationed in Petit Tiers, Belgium. On February 3, 1945 they received the first of their new M24 and
by mid February the 18th were fully equipped and trained on the new tanks. Since it was winter a white-wash was applied to help camouflage the tanks. At this point in the war the standard M5A1 was so disliked that an Armed Forces observer was told that M5A1 companies were so useless that they were only used as "anti-tank gun bait". The group left Belgium and pushed toward the Roer River and into Germany.
Designed as a more heavily armored improvement over the M3/M5 Light Tanks, the M24 entered production in 1944. To help keep weight down, the front of the hull featured a realtively thin (approximately 1 inch thick) glacis, raked back at a 60 degree angle while armament was provided in the form of a lightweight 75mm gun, developed from the one on the B-25H Mitchell. While the larger gun was a significant improvement over that of the M5, the light armour still left the M24 vulnerable to most German tanks of the era. © Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Hobby Master's 1:72 scale M24 Chaffee light tank is constructed with a blend of diecast metal and plastic, with plastic used to achieve maximum detail and a discreet internal weight added for a heavy feel. The 360 degree rotating turret is made from finely detailed plastic and has a pivoting metal cannon. The top portion of the hull is also made from plastic and features accurately replicated engine vents and hatches. The diecast metal bottom potion features maintenance hatches and torsion bar suspension. The antenna, hand-painted headlights and .50 cal machine gun with ammo box are separately applied.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Hobby Master "1:72 Ground Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military vehicles.
Hobby Master "1:72 Ground Power Series" diecast vehicles feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Rotating turret, elevating cannon and accurate hull.
- Painted, fitted, non-moving tracks on detailed non-rotating wheels.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Clear acrylic display case to protect model.
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
