I notice that some M24 Chaffees were fitted with all-steel tracks, others with chevron rubber-tread tracks. Was this difference related to a particular period, or version of the tank?
I have a rather old 1/76-scale kit of the M24 (Revell ... ex-Matchbox), and the tracks are, to say the least, dreadful! The kit itself can be improved with some careful work, but I would like to replace the tracks with something more suitable. The plan is to depict the vehicle in a 1944/45 winter setting, so it is important that the track type is correct for the period. Any suggestions?
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M24 Chaffee Query ...
pbennett
Joined: October 14, 2007
KitMaker: 464 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 02, 2018 - 04:58 AM UTC
GeraldOwens
Joined: March 30, 2006
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Posted: Tuesday, January 02, 2018 - 05:11 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I notice that some M24 Chaffees were fitted with all-steel tracks, others with chevron rubber-tread tracks. Was this difference related to a particular period, or version of the tank?
I have a rather old 1/76-scale kit of the M24 (Revell ... ex-Matchbox), and the tracks are, to say the least, dreadful! The kit itself can be improved with some careful work, but I would like to replace the tracks with something more suitable. The plan is to depict the vehicle in a 1944/45 winter setting, so it is important that the track type is correct for the period. Any suggestions?
I have never seen the rubber chevron track on a World War Two. vehicle. It was common on French tanks in Indochina in the earky 50's, but not on US Army tanks in Korea (I've only seen one vehicle, an M19, with those tracks in a Korean War photo).
pbennett
Joined: October 14, 2007
KitMaker: 464 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 02, 2018 - 05:16 AM UTC
Yes, you confirm what I initially thought ... French M24s in Indo-China. Regarding replacing the dreadful kit-supplied tracks, would any of the other WW2 tanks have been fitted with all-metal tracks of the same pattern? If so, I could probably raid my spares cupboard for something suitable.
tanknick22
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 02, 2018 - 05:28 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I notice that some M24 Chaffees were fitted with all-steel tracks, others with chevron rubber-tread tracks. Was this difference related to a particular period, or version of the tank?
I have a rather old 1/76-scale kit of the M24 (Revell ... ex-Matchbox), and the tracks are, to say the least, dreadful! The kit itself can be improved with some careful work, but I would like to replace the tracks with something more suitable. The plan is to depict the vehicle in a 1944/45 winter setting, so it is important that the track type is correct for the period. Any suggestions?
The all steel tracks were used during ww2 and korea the rubber chevron tracks came afterwards
Bravo1102
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 02, 2018 - 01:56 PM UTC
The rubber tracks first appeared in the late 1940s but the steel track remained in use.
As for replacements? Good luck, that track was unique. Try searching the OKB Grigorov site. They do 1/72 resin replacement track and there may be a Soviet type similar enough.
Just so you know, the Matchbox Chaffee has the storage configuration of a British Chaffee. The fenders need to be rebuilt for a US one.
As for replacements? Good luck, that track was unique. Try searching the OKB Grigorov site. They do 1/72 resin replacement track and there may be a Soviet type similar enough.
Just so you know, the Matchbox Chaffee has the storage configuration of a British Chaffee. The fenders need to be rebuilt for a US one.
firstcircle
Joined: November 19, 2008
KitMaker: 2,249 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, January 03, 2018 - 05:04 AM UTC
Paul, OKB Grigorov is about to release a full injection moulded M24 kit, but it's not out yet, and he doesn't appear to offer tracks for this tank in his shop.
Black Dog do however do a detail set that looks to include tracks and sprockets, as well as a few bits and bobs of stowage.
M-24 Chaffee accessories set, cat.n.: T72050
Seems to be available still - the Black Dog site lists UK stockists. Make sure you don't mistakenly buy the similar 1/35 set
Black Dog do however do a detail set that looks to include tracks and sprockets, as well as a few bits and bobs of stowage.
M-24 Chaffee accessories set, cat.n.: T72050
Seems to be available still - the Black Dog site lists UK stockists. Make sure you don't mistakenly buy the similar 1/35 set
Bravo1102
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 03, 2018 - 05:00 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Paul, OKB Grigorov is about to release a full injection moulded M24 kit, but it's not out yet, and he doesn't appear to offer tracks for this tank in his shop.
Black Dog do however do a detail set that looks to include tracks and sprockets, as well as a few bits and bobs of stowage.
M-24 Chaffee accessories set, cat.n.: T72050
Seems to be available still - the Black Dog site lists UK stockists. Make sure you don't mistakenly buy the similar 1/35 set
The Black Dog is for the 1/72 Hasegawa kit but can be adapted to the 1/76 Matchbox with trimming.
Cploverby's motorpool also made an update for the Hasegawa kit which is also sadly a touch overscale but I built it and superdetailef it back the 1980s when I was still capable of such things.
firstcircle
Joined: November 19, 2008
KitMaker: 2,249 posts
Armorama: 2,007 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 03, 2018 - 05:16 PM UTC
Yup, I had forgotten about the scale difference, though with the sprocket included it should be fine, and fortunately (to me anyway) the tracks being a bit big is better than being a bit small. Might not be technically correct, but should look good. I'd like to see the result one day... 
RLlockie
Joined: September 06, 2013
KitMaker: 1,112 posts
Armorama: 938 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 03, 2018 - 06:47 PM UTC
The French used both types in Indochina - examples at DBP have skeleton track, others there have rubber block. No rubber block in WW2 though.
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