Hobby Master 1:72 Ground Power Series HG3605
M24 Chaffee Diecast Model
Escadron de Marche du ler RCC, "Douaumont", Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam, 1954 |
| 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 M24's built and because of its speed, agility and reliability over 30 countries added them to their arsenal well into the 1970's. This tank would prove to be more than adequate during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
The French military established a base at Dien Bien Phu Vietnam to act as an offensive base. From here they could launch attacks on the Viet Minh in neighboring areas or use it as a defensive base that could destroy the attacking enemy using the large amount of firepower they had assembled.As part of the French offensive weaponry they flew 10 M24 tanks to the base. The French didn't possess an aircraft capable of lifting a fully assembled M24 so each tank was disassembled into 180 parts. Each tank required 8 aircraft to transfer it to the front line. On January 15, 1954 all 10 tanks were reassembled and on January 20th they were divided into 3 platoons each with 3 tanks and one HQ tank for Squadron Commander Capitaine Yves Hervouët. The squadron was named Escadron de Marche du 1er Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval.
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.
