M3 Lee, the Stopgap Tank

In the dark days of the Second World War, the Allies and the US Army needed a medium tank that could be design and built quickly. It needed a more powerful main gun than the 37-40mm pieces currently forming the backbone of the tanks of 1940-41 (apart from the excellent 76.2 mm that equipped Soviet tanks). 

The M3 Lee was the result, with a hull mounted 75mm and turret mounted 37mm guns.  The Lee also carried 2 to 4 .30 cal. machineguns. The British preferred M3's not to have the commanders machinegun turret and referred to this version of the M3 as the Grant.

Protected by up to 51mm (2 inches) of armor, with a reliable engine capable of speeds up to 42 km/h (26 mph); the Lee was the equal or superior to the active Axis tanks of the period.

Its height and sponson main gun location were two of its greatest faults and lead to it being quickly outdated in the European-African Theaters.  

Even so, with more than 6200 built, the Lee/Grants soldiered in a variety of variants, from command vehicles to prime movers, to the end of the war.

The Soviet's especially hated the vehicle, nicknaming it "гравий для Стивена Вонючего" (" A Grave for seven Brothers"). Even so, they continued to be used by Soviet troops in secondary fronts as late as 1944.

This M3 Lee is a resin and metal piece from Warlord that I painted earlier this month.