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Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest a modified M24 Chaffee equipped with a 90 mm gun for France’s Ground Forces in War Thunder. This vehicle, known as the M24 Revalorisé, was a one-off prototype modernized with a 90 mm gun. Although it failed to meet the requirements for upgrading the French Army’s entire M24 Chaffee fleet, the M24 Revalorisé was marketed as a potential export. Norway took an interest in this modified M24 and eventually purchased the French-made D925 low-pressure 90 mm guns to upgrade their own M24 fleet, resulting in the famous NM 116. Unlike the NM 116, however, the M24 Revalorisé retained a more basic appearance, with the 90 mm gun being its primary upgrade.
History
Background
The largest user of the Chaffee outside the United States was France, with the French Army receiving over 1,200 M24s for service in Indochina and Metropolitan France. Initial deliveries of M24s to French units in Indochina began in the late 1950s. French-operated M24s played a notable role in Indochina against the Viet Minh, as their light weight and mobility allowed them to traverse marshes, swamps, and rice paddies, which was inaccessible to the French-operated Stuarts. Additionally, the M24 had access to excellent ammunition options, excelling in high-explosive firepower compared to the Stuart.The M24s were used in various crucial tasks, including convoy security, infantry support, static defense, patrolling, and offensive armor/infantry sweeps against enemy forces. Following France’s withdrawal from Indochina, many M24s were transferred to the newly formed Army of the Republic of Vietnam. France retained a significant number of M24s, and they were again deployed to Algeria during the Algerian War of Independence, where they served in infantry support roles until the war’s end.
Attempt at the ModernizationThe French Army still possessed the largest single holding of M24 tanks, and French firms made several attempts to modernize the M24 for potential export. One such derivative was the M24 Revalorisé. In 1967, the Ingenieurs de Bourges proposed replacing the original 75mm M6 cannon with a 90mm CN-90 (D925) gun, as used on the Panhard AML-90 armored car. This gun could fire HEAT, HE, and smoke rounds.
A single French M24 was modified and completed in early 1970s as a proof of concept for a potential modernization program for France’s M24 fleet. The modifications included replacing the barrel, adding a muzzle brake, slightly altering the breech mechanism, and rearranging the ammunition racks. The bow-mounted .30 caliber machine gun was removed, reducing the crew to four to provide additional storage for 90mm ammunition. According to the SATORY III booklet from 1971, the modified M24 Revalorisé achieved increased firepower with a new turret without compromising mobility or mechanical strength. This also meant the weight and elevation mechanisms remained unchanged.
The French Army found the M24 Revalorisé’s performance unsatisfactory for its needs, leading to the project being shelved after only a single prototype was completed. However, the prototype was repurposed for export marketing to countries seeking modernized light tanks. Norway was the only customer to show interest, as its existing M24 Chaffee fleet required upgrades. In 1973, Norway purchased French-made D925 guns to upgrade its Chaffees alongside extensive modifications, resulting in the NM 116.
Compared to the French-modified M24 Revalorisé, the Norwegian NM 116 was far more advanced, featuring a new diesel engine, laser rangefinder, smoke grenade launchers, provisions for night-vision/infrared equipment, and other extensive modifications, none of which were present on the French prototype. In this sense, the French M24 Revalorisé can be considered a bare-bones “Super Chaffee.” Nevertheless, the NM 116 became a success for the Norwegian Army, serving until its retirement in 1993.
Specifications
M24 RevaloriséGeneral Characteristics
- Crew: 4 (driver, commander, gunner, loader)
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of the M24 Revalorisé are nearly identical to those of the standard M24 Chaffee.
- Powertrain
- 296-hp Twin Cadillac 44T24 8 cylinder petrol engine
- Transmission: 8 speeds forward, 4 reverse
- Combat Weight: 18.3 tons
- Performance
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 16.2 hp/ton
- Speeds:
- Forward: 56 km/h (35 mph)
- Backward: 23 km/h (14 mph)
Armament & Armor
- Main Gun
- D925 low-pressure 90mm gun
- Zoom: 5x
- Horizontal guidance: 360°
- Vertical guidance: -10° to +30°
- Ammunition: 41 rounds
- OCC 90-62 (HEAT)
- Muzzle Velocity: 750 m/s
- OE 90 F1 (HE)
- OFUM PH90-F2 (Smoke)
Armor Penetration Chart
Armor penetration value may not be the same or different from the D925 gun’s performance. However, the gun of M24 Revalorisé was designed for firing 90 mm rounds used for the 90 mm Mk F1 gun of AML 90.
- Secondary Guns
- Coaxial 7.62 mm M1919A4 Browning machine gun
- Ammunition: 6 magazines with 250 rounds each (3,750 rounds total)
- Armor
- Hull: 25 / 25 / 19 mm
- Turret: 25 / 25 / 25 mm
Images
Given that France was the largest operator of M24 Chaffees outside the United States, I believe the M24 Revalorisé would be a great addition to the French Ground Forces. It represents France’s efforts to modernize its Chaffee fleet and could be added to the game as a 90mm-armed Chaffee available as an additional option for the French lineup.
- SATORY III - Exhibition of Land Armament Equipment Volume 1 Armament (1971)
- M24 Chaffee in Action - Armor No. 25 (1988)
- M24 Chaffee Light Tank 1943–85 (2003)
- M24 Chaffee - Wikipedia
