Hey guys,

I am new to the forum, thought I would give a shout out to everyone. i have a few questions though, some ideas that I have been kicking around. Anyways I wanted to see if I could get some help with a few things. First off I saw picture in a book this weekend of a M24 Chaffee and on the edges of the tracks there had been added what seemed to be a 12" extention. The caption said it was for to increase the area of the track on soft ground. I was wondering if anyone had ever heard or seen this and if there were any kits avaliable for this add-on. My second question was if anyone was producing or has produced in the past any kits of the heavy tank program that the US was working on at the end of the war, like the T-29, T-30, T-34, T-32. I have never seen anything but I have never built that much armour either, but I am trying to start. And my last question, and I know that I probably dosent belong on this section but I was wondering if anyone done any US what-ifs and if they could post some pictures. I was want to at some point to do a really heavy US tank, to combat the Tiger II, E100, Mause and Panther II besides the pershing. Any help would be great guys and I love the forum so far. thanks

Track extensions were experimented and applied on some vehicles -- especially on the M4 Sherman series. Other nations (esp. WW2 Germany) used them too.. I'm not sure I've seen the ones on the M24.

In 1/35, only Accurate Armour (a Scottish resin maker) dabbled in a few of the US Heavies. In the smaller scales, you have some more options I believe.

As for US What Ifs, look over on ML's "Constructive Comments" at Andrew Spence's builds. He really enjoys them

http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/thread/1237678365/whatif+american+T14+mk+2+with+british+5+inch+gun

http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/thread/1237594695/Whatif+M4a44+with+american+100mm+gun

The extensions are called Extended End Connectors or Duckbills. I am not aware of any M24 models that come with tracks with EECs. I am also not aware of any after market M24 tracks with this feature. The M24 had a fairly low ground pressure in the first place so they may have been experimental or very limited availability. I cannot recall any pictures of them in use.




I do not believe anyone has released such a kit in 1/35 scale in plastic. Accurate Armor makes a T28 in resin.

http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct.cfm?manufacturer=0&category=3&subcategory=4&product=557




They are uncommon but exist. I even have one going myself. Here are some on Armorama:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/133601&page=1

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/132568&page=1&ord=1

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/135186&page=1

There was a neat Sherman based assault gun here around November 2008 but I cannot find it.

Good luck with your project!

-Doug

Thanks for the help guys,

Yeah I wasnt exactly sure what they called these track extentions. I have been kicking around some ideas for a pershing based heavy tank for a what-if concept. So the information really helps. I was also wondering if anyone had ever produced a model of an M6 high speed tractor, I know they have a kit of the M4 now but I was wondring if anyone had ever scratch built one or if there was an old kit available.

No M6 HST as of yet. The M4 (Hobby Boss) and M8 (Blue Tank/Nitto) are in plastic (the M8 is rather old). The M5 is available in two resin versions.