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Ardennes M5A1s

Belt_Fed

Joined: February 02, 2008
KitMaker: 1,388 posts
Armorama: 1,325 posts

Posted: Monday, December 25, 2017 - 03:44 AM UTC
I am looking to build an M5A1 from the Battle of the Bulge/ Ardennes offensive setting. AFV club has an "early" and "late" version; which one would be appropriate for this setting?

Biggles2

Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts

Posted: Monday, December 25, 2017 - 05:07 AM UTC
A safe bet would be the late M5A1, but that doesn't mean there were still some earlier models still in service. The M5's were not phased out in favor of the M25 Chaffee's, but continued in service until the end of the war.


Bravo1102

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

Posted: Monday, December 25, 2017 - 01:39 PM UTC
Both. Both were in service side by side until the end of the war in Europe. The so-called late production was already in service by D-Day.

Biggles2

Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts

Posted: Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - 01:09 AM UTC
Quoted Text
A safe bet would be the late M5A1, but that doesn't mean there were still some earlier models still in service. The M5's were not phased out in favor of the M25 Chaffee's, but continued in service until the end of the war.
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I made a typo. The second part of the first sentence should have read: "...but that doesn't mean there WEREN'T still some earlier models still in service."



LeoCmdr

Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts

Posted: Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - 02:22 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextA safe bet would be the late M5A1, but that doesn't mean there were still some earlier models still in service. The M5's were not phased out in favor of the M25 Chaffee's, but continued in service until the end of the war.
![]()
I made a typo. The second part of the first sentence should have read: "...but that doesn't mean there WEREN'T still some earlier models still in service."Curse you, double negatives!
![]()
...and here we all thought you were going to fix your “M25 Chaffee” typo


Bravo36


Joined: January 11, 2002
KitMaker: 247 posts
Armorama: 229 posts

Posted: Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - 02:48 AM UTC
The earlier version would probably show (more interesting) weathering - ‘wear and tear’.

Biggles2

Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts

Posted: Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - 04:57 AM UTC
Quoted Text
...and here we all thought you were going to fix your “M25 Chaffee” typo![]()
Too much Christmas cheer, or something!




easyco69

Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 2,275 posts
Armorama: 2,233 posts

Posted: Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - 07:42 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextA safe bet would be the late M5A1, but that doesn't mean there were still some earlier models still in service. The M5's were not phased out in favor of the M25 Chaffee's, but continued in service until the end of the war.
![]()
I made a typo. The second part of the first sentence should have read: "...but that doesn't mean there WEREN'T still some earlier models still in service."Curse you, double negatives!
![]()
You mean M24 right Biggles?

Bravo1102

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

Posted: Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - 07:00 PM UTC
In fact, in late 1944 some original M5 were issued to make up losses pending the arrival of the M24. Remember also that the "late" improvements were introduced over time in the production run and some were available as update kits for serving vehicles. Though not as well documented as Shermans there was variation in configuration. I'm going by the old Squadron Stuart in Action and there's lots of variations and often the tanks are so overloaded with sandbags and gear it's kind if hard to tell what configuration they're in outside of the mg shield and storage box.
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