Hello everyone
i'm looking for information on the British M3 Lee in Burma
I am currently trying to build a tank of the 3rd carabiniers and have hit a brick wall
thanks in advance

The IWM site has some like these and I have a few others I could email to you if you need them. I'm not sure about the 3rd Carabiniers but you could also do a search on them.
IWM










Hope this helps,
Bob

Thanks Bob these pictures are spot on they even fit the dio i have started which is a river crossing.
Got the idea from a photo of my Grandfather and his Lee crossing a river in Burma
Many thanks

Just to help a little more

British Pathe
Try film 1149.12 and do a search on Burma Also.

Tank Battles of the Pacific By Steven Zaloga also has a couple of photos one mentioning the 3rd carabiniers

Sure would love to see that photo of your Grandfather but understand if you want to keep it to yourself.

Plenty of items to see markings and options,
Good luck,
Bob

sorry for hijacking this thread but, did all burma lees have a standard configuration or were they modified to their own satisfaction? would the trakz burma lee detail kit make a complete burma lee?

Honest related question. Yes and no is the answer. It's enough for a generic Lee but as can be seen in the photos each one was unique to the crew with various items added or removed. Someone more informed on the Lee might shed more light on the subject.
Bob

Thanks Bob would love to share the photo but dont have the hardware to do so at the moment but will when i can. Tried to get hold of the Trax Burma lee conversion but in very short supply over here in blighty!
But looking at the picture of my Grandfathers tank it didnt have the boxes on the back just a couple of twenty five pounder ammo boxes welded on (always one for the easy option my Grandad).
Thanks for the help first time i have used the site and and think its brilliant

Those are very clear photos Bob.
I only have one photo from a book I have in my "PHOTOS", and it shows no detial
http://gallery.kitmaker.net/showphoto.php/photo/182739

There is an excellent article in Military modelling regarding this subject
Military Modelling VOLUME 31 # 13 2001

Drop me an email if you can't find it
Cheers
Al

Hi Ivan!

Nice to read that someone else are trying to build a Burma Lee. I started my project early this year and my goal is to build a Lee from 150 th RAC. Information is as you mentioned quite a problem, so the research has taken a lot of time and there is still much to find out until I am ready to complete the model.

I am using the following components for my project:

1: Base model, Academy M3 grant
2: Legend, M3 Lee Detailing Set
3: Trax Burma lee conversion, for the boxes and fans
4: Formations M3 suspension and M3 Lee Solid Stamped Road Wheels.
5: Panda Plastics WE210 Double "I" Tracks
6: New 75mm, 37mm and ca:30 barrels.
7: Accurate armour Trapax Valentine Tracks for the extra frontal armour.

I believe I have done 50% of the building phase, and hopefully can I start painting later this summer. My photographic skills are not the best, but I will try to take some photos, so you can give me some advice regarding the “configuration” of my Burma Lee.

I must say that I am looking forward to read about your progress and have someone to discuss “Burma armour” with.

Best regards

Peter

I'm stocking up items for one also but this one for the 193rd TB on Makin.
Bob

Its good to hear i am not the only person mad enough to try and build a much under appreciated tank in a forgotten theatre.
My particular tank is the one my Grandfather was radio op in and is a C sqn 3rd Carabiniers in the area of Kanglatongbi (apologies if i have spelt that wrong).
Thanks for all the help and only too happy to help if i can
Have managed to get hold of some Ultrecast Australian bush hat heads and with only a little work you can get them to that particular state of tattiness that seems common in Burma

To Ivan!

I have some pdf:s material that have been to grate help. The material includes for example a original ”Lee MK 1 stowage sketch”, if you like I can send you the material. It is hard to find the Trakz Burma Lee detail kit but I believe you still can get it from Firestorm models. If you are interested in the 3rd Carabiners and have not read it I can recommend the regimental History ”I Serve” by Lt.C, L.B . Oatts. Please send me a private message with your E-mail address and I will send you the pdf:s as soon as possible.

Have a nice weekend

Peter Hjortzberg

Just wanted to a big thanks for all the help, all the info i recieved has got me going on this project again and will post some pictures as soon as i can.