M24 Chaffee 6th Divison, Japan Self-Defense Forces (1:72)

Probably the best light tank the Allies had in WWII was the M24. Because of its light armor and weight it was quite fast and its 75mm M6 gun could deliver a large caliber shell. The M24 arrived in Europe during the latter stages of WWII and proved very reliable. More than 4,000 of these tanks were produced between 1943 and 1945. Things were different in Korea for the M24 when it came up against the T-34/85 so it was accompanied by the M26, M46 and the M4A3E8 with the 76mm barrel. When the M41 Walker Bulldog was delivered the M24 was relieved from duty with the US Forces in 1953.

The 6th Division of the JGSDF (Japan Ground Self Defense Force) is stationed in the city of Sendai in the Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan. When WWII ended the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers ordered an end to all military manufacturing and development. But with the outbreak of the Korean War this policy was reversed and armed police forces were formed. These later developed into the JSDF (Japan Self Defense Force) of which the JGSDF is part. These groups were provided with M4A3E8 Shermans and M24 Chaffee tanks. As well as being obsolete the use of the Sherman presented a problem because the average height of a Japanese person back then meant the driver had problems reaching the clutch pedal. As a result of action in Korea it was determined that the M24 was inadequate against the Russian built T34/85s being used by North Korean troops. With this turn of events the JGSDF was given the option to purchase the new M46 Patton or M47 when it was ready. Due to the high cost of these tanks and the fact that the Patton wouldn�t meet their requirements Japan was given the option to develop their own MBTs. This resulted in the development of the Type 61 tank.

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