Unofficial Tongde M24 Chaffee 1/16 scale Battle Tank Discussion Thread

[SoCalBobS]

DKLM has posted on FB that the first batch of M24 Chaffee tanks by Tongde has been shipped out to preorder customers. One of them is for me!

I'm posting some information that prospective buyers may find useful. I am a fan of DKLM because he is honest and responsive to emails, so I recommend dealing with him. DKLM's preorder price for the metal version was $225 + $93 shipping = $318 total. Yesterday I compared this with AliExpress's preorder cost: $245 + $171 = $318. Toucan showed $308 + whatever shipping they will charge at checkout. DKLM's price for the plastic version was $122 + ~$93? = $215. AliExpress's is $134 +$114 = $248 and Toucan's is $179 + shipping. To be fair, Banggood lists the plastic preorder cost as $214 with free shipping. I don't know how they do that! These sellers post a late November availability.

Now obviously prices may change after stock shows up. I only point out that DKLM is comparable, even better in some cases, to other sellers; just an opinion. Once container ships with items dock, all this may change too. I wonder if future tariffs may affect this?

When mine shows up I'll be posting more.

[Rubicon99]

Good information 👍👍.

[SoCalBobS]

Mine has arrived. I was most interested in the actual size compared to other 1/16 tanks. I took two photos next to a Mato Panzer III to show this. As you can see, it's a bit shorter and lower.




I did a little drive around. On concrete it's very "skittery", likely due to its large track to ground area, metal tracks and powerful gear train, the last I'm sure is the same as their monster M109. On dirt it's still lively, but a lot tamer. There are control adjustments I'll play with in a bit.
There is no bb function. The barrel has an orange LED flash when fired.
The barrel elevation has been improved. It acts like it's servo operated, but it stays where it's placed. A good thing.

I'm using their USB charger to see how long a charge takes, but I'm sure I'll be opening it up to install a stronger removable battery soon.
Out of the box, track tension is different from side to side, so I'll be adjusting that soon too.
Once I open it up, I'll post pictures of what I see.

[Rubicon99]

Mine has arrived. I was most interested in the actual size compared to other 1/16 tanks. I took two photos next to a Mato Panzer III to show this. As you can see, it's a bit shorter and lower.




I did a little drive around. On concrete it's very "skittery", likely due to its large track to ground area, metal tracks and powerful gear train, the last I'm sure is the same as their monster M109. On dirt it's still lively, but a lot tamer. There are control adjustments I'll play with in a bit.
There is no bb function. The barrel has an orange LED flash when fired.
The barrel elevation has been improved. It acts like it's servo operated, but it stays where it's placed. A good thing.

I'm using their USB charger to see how long a charge takes, but I'm sure I'll be opening it up to install a stronger removable battery soon.
Out of the box, track tension is different from side to side, so I'll be adjusting that soon too.
Once I open it up, I'll post pictures of what I see.

Please for the love of god cut those side skirts off as soon as possible....

In all seriousness I am happy to see you got yours in and looking forward to seeing it in person soon.

[SoCalBobS]

Ok, I can never leave good enough alone! I opened it up. Here's a photo:



Before I go on, let me say that the tank is good out of the box. The modifications I'll describe are just what I like to do.

As you can see, space is very cramped. The battery is a half size type, tucked under the motors in front, permanently. Charging is accomplished through the balance tap. An extension cable comes from the battery to a plug mounted on the rear deck. Everything is zip tied and spiral wrapped.

Why did I open this so soon? Because the IR flash LED wasn't tripping my IR target. It turns out the bulb had gotten loose from its mount in the mantlet and was laying loose in the hull. The LED works, it just needs to be put back (or replaced with a HP LED). A minor matter.

Here's the big thing, though. I like to charge my Li-Ion batteries out of its vehicle - a personal preference. Also, I use batteries with more capacity, 3500mah Admirals and I like to be able to swap them out if I run them down at an event. Moving them in and out from the front wasn't possible. My photo shows an empty area at the back of the hull tray. However, the smoke unit fits in there when the hull is buttoned up. I've had to remove the unit, which is a shame because they're fun now and then. Anyway, I'll be placing my battery there.

[RichJohnson]

Does it have a servo recoil and or elevation?
which mfu does it have?
so far my m60s have come with
TDC-x
TD 1.0
TD 2.0

[SoCalBobS]

TD 3.0 Receiver.
TD 3.0 Transmitter.
Servo recoil.
Servo Elevation.

Nary a moment between thought and deed:



Side skirts removed.

[Rubicon99]

TD 3.0 Receiver.
TD 3.0 Transmitter.
Servo recoil.
Servo Elevation.

Nary a moment between thought and deed:



Side skirts removed.

So much better looking with the skirt off👍👍👍

[RichJohnson]

Have you now tested interoperability with HL IR battle tanks?

[SoCalBobS]

Have you now tested interoperability with HL IR battle tanks?

No.

Update: a hopeful yes it does. I put the stock mushroom on the M24 and shot at it with a HP LED equipped tank, inside a garage. The M24 registered 6 hits and went to "died" mode. I did this a few times from a couple of angles. Also, earlier I fired the M24's IR LED and it registered on a target. What I can't say until I install a Lego DEI is at what range it will take hits, or if the LegoDEI will be compatible with the MFU. I also won't know what the TD IR LED range is. That will have to wait.

Also, I ran the M24 around to about 90 feet away and the radio range was working fine. I'll test it further in some open ground on sunday.

Update #2:

I hooked up a LegoDEI to the MFU and it worked fine, at least at garage ranges.

[SoCalBobS]

Unpainted but ready for field trials Sunday.



First to go will be those radio antennas. I already cut down the tow hooks in front. As stock, they didn't last 30 feet before breaking off - like just about every other tank I own.

[SoCalBobS]

Major Milestone:

The Tiger Face has been painted (by hand, no decals). Touchups, weathering and accessories to come.

[DavidN]

Amazing work!

[SoCalBobS]

My first day out. This is the Chaffee at the January 19, 2025 San Diego Tank Battles event driving around in the dirt. It did very well, considering all those big tank bullies picked on it!

[tank_me]

But it looks fierce...lol.

[rampage]

Finally an M24!

Is it possible to raise the suspension ride height? It looks like it's sitting on its bumpstops. Otherwise it looks amazing.

[DavidN]

Here is my Tongde M24. It has been raining in Southern California for 2 days. I might as well finish this tank. It is ready for IR battle now. Unlike HL, it has 2 different MGs that lid up.

[DavidN]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-po8KxGLupM

[Rubicon99]

Adding mine to this thread.

[rampage]

These all look so good...

It's been a long time since I've done anything tank-related. Are the V3.0 control boards on these good? Last I was looking into tank stuff the Open Panzer boards were all the rage - even if like half of them were defective. I had heard they were going to have them produced by someone else but I'm not sure if that ever happened. I just loved the idea of the programability of those. Dial out the neutral steer and stuff like that. Is any of that possible with these newer V3.0 boards?