With the rash of M3 Medium Lee/Grant kits of late, I started my own project. A fantasy "What If" tank based on a stretched hull M3 Lee. Suppose the riveted hull M3A4 rec'd upgrades with the latest M3 components? Welded hull, ventilation fans, periscopes, splinter shield for 75mm gun, etc. and was prepared for the French army that withstood the 1940 invasion and was battling long enough to receive Lend Lease tanks from the USA.

Below are pics of the project before paint and after the first basecoat. It's a true Frankenstein project combining many kit parts (Tamiya, DML, Asuka/Tasca, Academy, Takom, Formations, Armoured Brigade, HDS Shapeways) plus cast parts and scratchbuilt body panels. The camo represents the green/red-brown of French army AFVs rec'd in 1940. I've only applied the first basecoat -- it will darken with a satin clear coat soon.

Questions and comments are welcome!

Why is there still riveting around the side doors?

There are two areas that have rivets and screws. Near the 75mm sponson, they are there because the Mount amd sponson is riveted in place.

To the right rear upper corner is a removable plate used for changing/maintenance of the gun. That panel was never welded.

If you are talking the rivets on the right side, I'm pretty sure those are to fasten the sponson casting to the rest of the hull.

They possibly couldn't successfully weld the casting steel to the side armour at that point (industry was only just learning how to weld armour) or they may have left it riveted so that it was easier to remove if need be to maintain the gun mount. These might also be bolts as opposed to rivets.

Just some ideas.

Paul

Love the before-paint shots!

That's a good what-if right there - plausible but at the same time fictitious!

I like it a lot, plausible, well done and a great "coulda-been".

Amazing!!! Great idea, excellently executed. I love the camo so far.