Warlord is keeping the bolt action plastic vehicle train moving.
This time, Bolt Action gets two late-war oddballs. However, both fill very different battlefield needs. For armor collectors, this is a tidy little release. This is a summary of community article found here.
Allied Speed and Japanese Steel Get New Plastic Kits
The new plastic releases focus on the M24 Chaffee and Type 3 Chi-Nu, two tanks that arrive from very different design problems. The Chaffee gives late-war American and British players a light tank that finally hits harder than a tired Stuart. Historically, Allied forces needed something with Stuart-like mobility, but with a gun that still mattered in 1945. Therefore, the Chaffee paired a fast, low-profile chassis with the proven 75mm gun associated with the Sherman.
On the Bolt Action table, that makes it a really interesting economy armor pick. It has Fast and optional Recce, which help offset its fragile 8+ Damage Value and Vulnerable rule. However, this is not a Panther duelist, and treating it like one will end badly. Instead, it wants flanks, movement, and opportunistic shots. With a medium anti-tank gun, Improved HE, and multiple MMGs, it can punch well above its defensive profile. At 170 points Regular, it saves points compared with larger tanks while keeping solid firepower.
Meanwhile, Japanese players finally get a more straightforward medium tank option in plastic. The Chi-Nu was developed from the Chi-Ha family and armed with the Type 3 75mm gun. That gun is presented as arguably Japan’s best anti-tank weapon of the war. Unfortunately for history, the roughly 150 Chi-Nus produced stayed in Japan for the expected Allied invasion. Fortunately for Bolt Action players, tabletop what-ifs let them fight. At 190 points Regular, the Chi-Nu brings 9+ Damage Value, a medium anti-tank gun, and a co-axial MMG. Better yet, it avoids weird drawbacks and just functions like a proper dependable tank.
Also, both vehicles can slide into Konflikt ’47 forces, where late-war hulls practically beg for Rift-tech upgrades. The bigger hobby story is Warlord’s ongoing “plastification” project. These kits replace older resin and metal versions with cleaner plastic builds, sharper detail, and easier assembly. For more details, read the original Warlord Community article.
Summary and Final Thoughts
Overall, this is a practical release with real table value. The Chaffee gives Allied players speed and firepower, but demands careful handling. Meanwhile, the Chi-Nu gives Japanese forces something rare: a normal, trustworthy medium tank. However, the best news may be the continued move from resin to plastic. For Bolt Action players, that usually means easier builds, cleaner models, and fewer hobby headaches.
