Danish Army
Specific: A total of 67 vehicles
delivered in the period 1953 - 57. By the time of deliverance the
M24 Chaffee was already out-dated. Superseded along with
the M10 Achilles by M41 Walker Bulldog.
Historical: The M24 was designed to provide an
improved light tank mounting a 75 mm gun, and having
increased flotation and mobility and accessibility to of
all components. Design was undertaken by the Chrysler Division of
General Motors led by Ed Cole starting in April 1943 with the first
pilot model being ready on October 15th same year. The M24 was standardised as
"Tank, Light " and entered full production and
service in the US Army in July 1944.
The M24 was made as a successor for the M5 Stuart light
tank from who it owned its power train. The first
vehicles reached Europe in late 1944, where they proved
very effective and highly reliable. The M24 Chaffee first
saw combat in the Ardennes in January 1945.
It remained in American service until 1953, by which time
it was totally replaced by the M41 Walker Bulldog.
Initial order was a 1.000 units, but it was raised to
5.000. Of those only 4.371 were produced by Cadillac
Motor Car Division of General Motors and Massey-Harris
Corporation during 1944 - 45.
It was later to become known as the "Chaffee"
to commemorate General Adna R. Chaffee, who was known as
the "Father of the US Armored Forces".
Length: 5.50 m (216 inches).
Width: 2.84 m (112 inches).
Height: 2.76 m (107 inches).
Weight: 18.225 kg (40.500 lb.).
Armour: 10 - 38 mm (0.39 - 1.5 inches).
Engine: 2 Cadillac 90-degree V8-cylinder 44T24, 5.720
cm3 (349 cubic inches) displacement, liquid cooled,
carburettors.
Horsepower: 110 ea. at 3.400 rpm.
Transmission: 2 4-speed GM Hydramatic gearboxes.
Transfer case: 2-speed.
Electrical system: 24 volt, negative ground.
Brakes: Mechanical-controlled differential.
Fording depth:
without preparation: 1.01 m (40 inches).
with deep water fording kit: N/A.
Fuel type: Petrol.
Fuel capacity: 414 liter (91 gallons).
Range: 160 km (100 miles).
Crew: 5.
Armament: 75 mm M6 gun with 48 rounds
(also known as M5 and used in the B-25 Mitchell-bomber),
gyro stabilised.
1 0.50 cal. machine gun with 420 rounds, 2 .30
machineguns with 3.750 rounds.
Max. speed 56 km/h (35 mph).
Additional: Right and left engine were
interchangeable. Mounted with SCR-508 or SCR-528 radio.
Other known user are Britain, France, Japan, Norway, Pakistan,
Taiwan and Uruguay.
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