Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
Hosted by Darren Baker, Mario Matijasic
M24 Chaffee-WW2 To Korea

long_tom

Joined: March 18, 2006
KitMaker: 2,362 posts
Armorama: 2,005 posts

Posted: Thursday, March 23, 2017 - 12:28 AM UTC
Is this a tank that went from WW2 service to Korean War Service without significant changes?

Kevlar06


Joined: March 15, 2009
KitMaker: 3,670 posts
Armorama: 2,052 posts

Posted: Thursday, March 23, 2017 - 12:35 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Is this a tank that went from WW2 service to Korean War Service without significant changes?
Almost, but not exactly. There were some front end reinforcements added right next to the idlers, and there were versions in Korea that used an updated track system. These were the more visible changes, I believe there were other less obvious internal and turret changes. I believe the reinforcing pads were intended for the addition of accessories like a dozer blade-- but I'm not a Chaffee expert-- perhaps Mr. Laughlin can chime in?
VR, Russ

bots1141

Joined: October 14, 2013
KitMaker: 318 posts
Armorama: 313 posts

Posted: Thursday, March 23, 2017 - 12:50 AM UTC
The .50 cal also moved from its useless position in the back of the turret to in front of the Commander's coupla.

Kadiraksoy

Joined: September 19, 2016
KitMaker: 9 posts
Armorama: 7 posts

Posted: Thursday, March 23, 2017 - 03:32 AM UTC
Meanwhile the sideskirts were removed also.

Bravo1102

Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts

Posted: Thursday, March 23, 2017 - 05:52 AM UTC
And yet you will see photos of M24 in 1950 with the side skirts, original track and useless rear facing 50 caliber mount.
The dozer pads began to appear early in production and some had them in World War II. The 50 caliber mount was sometimes moved by maintenance at the unit level.
Looking at Chaffees in Korea you will see ones identical to World war II configuration except the bumper pads and others with the newer tracks, moved antennas. Most of the updates to Chaffees were issued as kits to be done at unit level. Tracks were replaced as they wore out. It wasn't until the M24 was taken out of service to be refurbished and fed into the Military Aid and Assistance that they are guaranteed to have gotten all the updates.
The dozer pads began to appear early in production and some had them in World War II. The 50 caliber mount was sometimes moved by maintenance at the unit level.
Looking at Chaffees in Korea you will see ones identical to World war II configuration except the bumper pads and others with the newer tracks, moved antennas. Most of the updates to Chaffees were issued as kits to be done at unit level. Tracks were replaced as they wore out. It wasn't until the M24 was taken out of service to be refurbished and fed into the Military Aid and Assistance that they are guaranteed to have gotten all the updates.

Frenchy

Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
Armorama: 12,507 posts

Posted: Thursday, March 23, 2017 - 06:33 PM UTC
Quoted Text
And yet you will see photos of M24 in 1950 with the side skirts, original track and useless rear facing 50 caliber mount.
"Newly landed U.S. paratroopers greet 1st Cavalry Division tank crewmen at Sukchon, North Korea, during the Korean War in October, 1950" :

Only the side skirts are missing

A few more Korea M24's in this thread
H.P.

Bravo1102

Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts

Posted: Thursday, March 23, 2017 - 06:43 PM UTC
Great picture Frenchy. That tank is lacking the dozer mounts but has the rubber pad track.


Frenchy

Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
Armorama: 12,507 posts

Posted: Thursday, March 23, 2017 - 07:02 PM UTC
You're welcome. In fact I've mixed up early and late tracks and thought the rubber-padded ones (T85E1) were the early type !
H.P.
H.P.

long_tom

Joined: March 18, 2006
KitMaker: 2,362 posts
Armorama: 2,005 posts

Posted: Thursday, March 23, 2017 - 07:35 PM UTC
Thanks! I read that Chaffees did not see much use in WW2, but I have long dreamed of a scenario where a two tanks, one T-34/85 and one Allied one, would be together, this time on opposite sides of the war.
I specifically wanted to use a tank, but Sherman tanks were heavily modified from their WW2 versions, and the Pershing was little used in WW2. Now I can complete my idea!
I specifically wanted to use a tank, but Sherman tanks were heavily modified from their WW2 versions, and the Pershing was little used in WW2. Now I can complete my idea!

TankSGT

Joined: July 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 946 posts

Posted: Thursday, March 23, 2017 - 10:16 PM UTC
The Easy 8 Sherman and the M26 Pershing were not very different then they looked in WW2. The M26 added fender braces and the infantry phone. Some M4A3E8s still had the split loaders hatch. The Shermans had some new stowage on the fenders and that was only the ones rebuild in Japan.
Tom
Tom

long_tom

Joined: March 18, 2006
KitMaker: 2,362 posts
Armorama: 2,005 posts

Posted: Friday, March 24, 2017 - 12:08 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The Easy 8 Sherman and the M26 Pershing were not very different then they looked in WW2. The M26 added fender braces and the infantry phone. Some M4A3E8s still had the split loaders hatch. The Shermans had some new stowage on the fenders and that was only the ones rebuild in Japan.
Tom
I assume, perhaps incorrectly, there were more Chaffees used in WW2 than Pershings. Plus I figure the Chaffee easier to build,
![]() |