Like the Tamiya M41 Walker Bulldog, I delayed building the Italeri M24 Chaffee Light Tank mostly because of how many "experts" complained about the model kit's shortcomings. After having so much fun with the M41A1 Walker Bulldog, I set out to finish a Chaffee the following month. I did so in the same time frame - two weekends - and had as much fun with the miniature as I did with the M41A1. Some of these oldies are diamonds in the rough, and if you give it some careful attention you'll get a miniature as fine as any available on the shelf today.

I chose to use On the Mark Models' M24 Chaffee brass detail set, plus a Jordi Rubio turned-aluminum barrel (because my kit's example was warped beyond usability). I made the lift rings and grab handles with solder. Aber brass Narrow Weld Beads and Grandt Line bolts came in handy. I also made hex bolts by slicing off the ends of Plastruct styrene .040" hex rod.

Modeling a Korean War Chaffee, I relocated the .50cal tripod mount to the front of the turret. And, lastly, I replaced all the molded-on tie-downs with On the Mark Models and Kendall Model Company brass tie-downs. Verlinden Productions resin Antenna Mounts and Minimeca Modelismo Antenna Wire would come into play here too, as well as MV Products Lenses for the Headlight/Blackout Lights.

Lastly, but certainly not in the least, I fitted Fruillmodelismo metal T72E2 individual track-links, Drive Sprockets, and Idler Wheels to my M24 miniature.