This is the old 1/35 M3 Lee from Tamiya with many details and scratch built parts: RB Model 35B76 barrel set, Voyager Model TE047 Letters and Figures, Eduard PE 35433, links from Academy, Browning .30 from AFV, Armo Decals Lend-Lease vehicles part 2, and others. Scratch built rivets and engine parts.

What did the Russians think of this vehicle compared to, say the T-34?
Or would it draw comparison to one of their multi-turret behemoths?

The Soviets quickly realised this tank was not good, and after one year of hard fighting, the surviving ones (infamously called "collective grave for six people") were retired from front-line operations and shipped to quieter or less well-defended sectors.

The T-34 was far superior in all aspects...

Very nice presentation of Tamiya's old war horse. Modelers considering the Tamiya kit should be advised that it has the engine deck of a gasoline-powered M3, but the upper tail plate of a diesel M3A5 (curiously, Tamiya's Grant has the correct rear arrangement). It also has some dimensional problems common to kits from the early 1970's, and the kit tracks had end connectors that were centered on the track blocks instead of being in between them, so they didn't connect anything. This made the vinyl more flexible, but it is annoying today.

Academy's M3 Lee kit is more accurate overall, though the exhaust arrangement depicts a very early production model. The first release of the kit had incorrect, overly tall suspension bogies, but Academy went back and corrected those parts, so current kits are correct. However, the lowered suspension means that the tracks are now too loose, so aftermarket tracks might be a good investment.

Many thanks Gerald.

I agree with your comments.

Cheers

Nice redress of the old kit. I did similar work to one to make a 1941 First Armored Division vehicle. The original eduard photo etch set actually had etch pieces to correct the rear hull and exhaust.


I did Tamiya's Grant as the diesel engined Mark II. I have one left for a Girls und Panzer build with parts from the Grant and a new suspension.

Nice. This is not easy subject IMO. But you've done this fantastic. Congratulations

For how poorly regarded the tank was in Soviet service there is a reconstruction of one that appeared in the movie White Tiger.

A Brigade equipped with Lee's fought at Kursk. They were the best armed of the available Lend-lease armor in 1943.

Thanks Stephen.

I would love to see your work with Lee and Grant tanks.

Many thanks, glad you like it.

Cheers from Brazil.