Hello gentlemen,

A long time I hadn't post here, but I've been working a tad. Here is the Italeri M24 Chaffee, as it was in French service, during the siege/battle in Dien Bien Phu. There were 18 of these tanks in the base, all airlifted using Bristol Freighters and Dakotas, the tanks being re-assembled on location, with very basic means. Some of these tanks received local camoflage schemes, either 2 or 1 additional color, over the usual Olive drab.

The kit is the Italeri re-box, almost OOB, with exception of the Armour Track Models tracks, whicha are a real plus over the horrible, rigid vinyl ones provided in the kit. Hope you'll like it and feel free to comment. tanks in there were quite dusty and this was achieved using Mig pigments.


Best,

Stef (#6)

Looks very nice,
I like the camouflage.

Cam paint scheme came out great. Must have taken a rather long time to complete. Weathering has what I like to refer to as a worn but not abused look to it. Congrats on a solid build.

Stef, you've done great work here, taking a simple Italeri kit to great lengths!
I'm still searching for an appropriate build for the coming Light Tanks campaign, and this Chaffee looks like a good one.
Thanks for posting!
-Sean H.

Hello,

Thanks for the kind words, gents; for the base pint, it ws airbrushed , and the "worms" were brushed, using Prince August paints and indeed these are really nice to use;
it took something like 1 hour and a half or so to complete.

Sean, there are several diferent schemes for Dien Bien Phu chaffee; look at the Bison decals website here : http://www.angelfire.com/pro/bison/35033.html and you'll see the various schemes, it may help yoou to make your choice.

Best

Stef (#6)

Stef- nice work, very colorful and interesting camo scheme and some realistic weathering- good job all round- thanks for sharing it.

Great job Stef.

I really like the unusual camo scheme, makes a nice change from OD.

- Steve

The paint and finish look very well done.

To add a small negative comment... The tracks do not sit on the drive sprocket, idler, or return rollers well at all. It distracts from the overall look. You may potentially have 1 extra link in there, I cannot tell.

Hello,

Thanks for the input, I will check that. I removed two tracks already and I will see to it.

Best

Stef (#6

Great job on painting it up. Thanks for the history lesson as I didn't realize these we're used during that battle. Cheers