M24 Chaffee

Light tank M24
A preserved M24 at Tankfest 2023
TypeLight tank
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1944–1953 (U.S. Army)
Used byUnited States and 28 others; see Operators
Wars
Production history
Manufacturer
Unit cost$39,653[1]
ProducedApril 1944–August 1945
No. built4,731
Specifications
Mass40,500 lb (20.3 short tons) (18.37 tonnes)
Length18 ft 3 in (5.56 m) including gun
16 ft 6 in (5.03 m) excluding gun
Width9 ft 10 in (3 m)
Height9 ft 1 in (2.77 m)
Crew5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, assistant driver/radio operator)

Armor0.40–1.50 in (10–38 mm)
Main
armament
75 mm gun M6 in mount M64
48 rounds
Secondary
armament
EngineTwin Cadillac Series 44T24
220 hp (160 kW) (164 kW) at 3,400 rpm (total)
Power/weight12 hp (8.9 kW) / tonne
TransmissionHydramatic
8 speeds forward, 4 reverse
SuspensionTorsion bar
Ground clearance1 ft 6 in (0.46 m)
Fuel capacity110 US gal (420 L)
Operational
range
100 mi (160 km)
Maximum speed 35 mph (56 km/h)

The M24 Chaffee (officially light tank M24) was an American light tank used during the later part of World War II; it was also used in post–World War II conflicts including the Korean War, and by the French in the War in Algeria and the First Indochina War. In British service it was given the service name Chaffee after the United States Army general, Adna R. Chaffee Jr., who helped develop the use of tanks in the United States armed forces. Although the M41 Walker Bulldog was developed as a replacement, M24s were not mostly removed from U.S. and NATO armies until the 1960s and remained in service with some Third World countries.

  1. ^ Zaloga, Steven (15 May 2015). Armored Champion: The Top Tanks of World War II. Stackpole Books. ISBN 9780811761338.