M3 Lee
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The M3 Lee was an American tank used during World War II. The British modified version of this tank, with a larger cast turret to house the radio, was called the Grant.
M3grant.jpg
M3Grant.jpg
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History
The tank design was unusual in that the large caliber (75 mm) gun was in a sponson mounting in the hull, giving limited traverse, and a small turret had a lighter 37mm gun. A small cupola on top of the turret held a machine gun giving the effect of one turret on top of another. A similar configuration was seen on tanks like the French Char B and the Mark I version of the British Churchill tank.
The British ordered the M3 when they were refused permission to have their tank designs made by the American amories. They were unhappy with the tall profile and had their own turret fitted - lower in profile with a bustle at the back for the radio set. This received the name "(General) Grant", unaltered M3's were called "General Lee", or usually just Grant and Lee
The design of the M3 hull was adapted by the Canadians to develop their Ram tank - a conventionally turreted tank. The hull was also used for self propelled artillery.
The M3 was withdrawn from frontline duty when the M4 Sherman became available. A number were retained as support vehicles
Used
- Australia
- Britain (600)
Both Lee and Grant types. Modified Grants:
- Grant CDL ('Canal Defence Light')with armoured Searchlight as
- Grant Command dummy gun fitted to give room for extra communications equipment.
- Grant Scorpion III: mine flail version.
- Grant Scorpion IV: As Scorpion III but extra engine
Variants
- M3 Riveted Hull
- M3A1 Cast upper Hull
- M3A2 All welded Hull
- M3A3 All welded Hull. 2 diesel engine
Combat Performance
Characteristics (M3)
- Role: medium tank
- Power plant: 255 kW (340 hp)
- Speed: 40 km/h road speed
- Range:
- Length: 5.65 m
- Width: 2.72 m
- Height: 3.12 m
- Weight: 26.1 tonnes
- Crew: 7
- Armament: 75 mm M2 (L/28) or M3 (L/38) gun in hull; 37 mm gun in turret; 3 MGs
- Armour: front 50mm, side 37 mm
External links
- AFV Database (http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m3lee.html) (Pictures (http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/pics/m3lee.html))
- The M3 "General Lee" in the USSR (http://www.battlefield.ru/library/lend/grant.html)
- LemaireSoft (http://users.swing.be/tanks.tanks/complet/526.html)
- OnWar M3 (http://www.onwar.com/tanks/usa/fm3med.htm), M3A1 (http://www.onwar.com/tanks/usa/fm3a1med.htm), M3A3 (http://www.onwar.com/tanks/usa/fm3a3med.htm), M3A4 (http://www.onwar.com/tanks/usa/fm3a4med.htm)
- Thunder And Steel - M3 in Australian service (http://www.thunderandsteel.co.uk/grant.html)
- WWII Vehicles (http://www.wwiivehicles.com/html/usa/m3_mediumtank.html)
| American armored fighting vehicles of World War II |
|---|
| Tanks |
| M3/M5 Stuart | M3 Lee | M4 Sherman | M22 Locust | M24 Chaffee | M26 Pershing |
| Self-propelled artillery |
| M7 Priest | M8 Scott | M12 GMC | M40 GMC |
| Tank destroyers |
| M10 Wolverine | M18 Hellcat | M36 Jackson |
| Armored half-tracks |
| M3 Half-track |
| Armored cars |
| M8 Greyhound | M3 Scout Car | M20 Armored Utility Car | T17 Staghound |
| Experimental vehicles |
| M38 Armored Car | M6 Heavy Tank | T-28 Tank/T-95 GMC | T14 Heavy Tank |
| American armored fighting vehicle production during World War II |