re: Vader’s Model Desk: M24 Chaffee Light tank

I always thought the Chaffee was a good looking machine.

It’s proportions were well balanced.

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Cool toy

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Do you think Darth sits there with his tongue slightly hanging out when he’s working on his models like a toddler working on legos?

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Here is your chance to recreate the 1965 movie “Battle of the Bulge”

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When I first got this M24 I stated to do it in a late Battle of the Bulge scheme similar to that. I found this picture that gave me the idea…

… once I opened the box though I decided to do the 1st AD version on the Italian Front instead.

Lot of jealous mofos on here.

Awesome job as always, Darth. Thats outstanding.

Not sure if you remember me or not, but I asked you for a couple of pointers a few weeks ago on weathering techniques and products. I ordered all the stuff that you recommended, but in the meantime, I ended up having my heart and liver transplant.

So I’ve got all the stuff ready to go to finish that F-18. Not sure exactly when I’ll be able to get back to it, but I’ll post pictures when I do. I think I’m still a little ways out.

I normally do aircraft but seeing these tanks has me wanting to try one! Is that a kit you can buy online? I really like how you do them and want to give it a shot!

Again Darth, thank you for the advice! Awesome work as always!

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Awesome job as always, Darth. Thats outstanding.

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Thanks!

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Not sure if you remember me or not, but I asked you for a couple of pointers a few weeks ago on weathering techniques and products. I ordered all the stuff that you recommended, but in the meantime, I ended up having my heart and liver transplant.

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I do indeed remember you. And to see you already back on here posting again after such major surgery, warms my heart. That’s just outstanding. I know a thing or two about major heart surgeries myself. And the fact you’re posting indicates to me your recovery is going well. You’ll still be in my prayers!

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So I’ve got all the stuff ready to go to finish that F-18. Not sure exactly when I’ll be able to get back to it, but I’ll post pictures when I do. I think I’m still a little ways out.

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I can’t wait to see it. But in the meantime, you follow your doctors orders and focus on getting back to enjoying life.

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I normally do aircraft but seeing these tanks has me wanting to try one! Is that a kit you can buy online? I really like how you do them and want to give it a shot!

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You can’t go wrong with Tamiya tank model kits. And you can find them at a variety of online retailers. I buy most of my online kits from Amazon. The fit on Tamiya kits is superb, their instructions are clear, and in general you should never run into any issues with them. Having said that, some are a bit more complex than others. I think a good place to start would be any one of these…



This 1/35 scale Panther kit dates from the 1970s. It isn’t the most historically accurate Panther kit, but it’s simple, low-cost, and overall a good introductory armor kit.



Tamiya’s 1/35 scale Hetzer kit has been on the market for a good while. Again, easy to build and not expensive. This kit comes with both the old-school one-piece rubber tracks (which is the only track option on the Panther above) and newer-design sectional tracks, which I prefer.



This StuG III Ausf. B is a newer kit. And while it’s a tad more complicated than the other two (it has some photo-etched parts and an optional metal main gun barrel) like all Tamiya armor kits it almost builds itself.

Those are just three examples off the top of my head. Tamiya has a whole lot more options. As you can see from looking at my stash…



Most of my armor kits are Tamiya. And thats only a drop in the bucket of their offerings when it comes to armor models. Really, the only Tamiya kits I would not recommend for someone new to building model tanks would be their Hummel or Nashorn kits.




They’re more expensive and a bit more complicated than the ones I listed above.

I’d also hold off on their later Pz. IV kits like the Ausf. H version.


The “shurtzen” armor around the turret and hull can be tricky as well.

But even these three kits are really fun builds once you’ve become more familiar with armor builds.

Again, I’m so happy to hear you’re recovering well. And I look forward to seeing you post your builds in the future. If you run into questions or need help, either reach out to me here, or you can follow one of my social media pages. I’m on all the major ones. Just search for “Vader’s Model Desk.” I’m most active on X though.

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It’s kind of sad he died from cancer right before WW2 and never saw his armor in action.

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Had Gen. Chaffee lived, it might be his name instead of Patton’s people today remember when it comes to greatest American armored commanders of WWII.

From a foundational and doctrine standpoint, was to the US Army’s armor force what Heinz Guderian was to the Wehrmacht’s Panzerwaffe.

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Vader, you’re an absolute rockstar. Thank you for the advice on the tank kits! I’ll definitely be starting with one of those. I’ve got a stash right now to catch up on Yea dr.s are extremely happy with how things are going right now and said it was probably the best heart/ liver transplant they’ve done at Houston Methodist in 2 years. Got a long road to go but I’m still going to be following here and on twitter. Thank you again man! Looking forward to more work!

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Man, that’s awesome. You take care!