I am working on the academy m3 lee tank and want to put an engine compartment in, does anyone know if anyone makes an m3 engine compartment or would a m4 engine compartment be compatible? also, what desert camo did the US army use in africa? thanks

An M4 or M4A1 engine compartment would be the same for an M3. It's only a matter of time before someone puts out an M3 engine compartment for the Academy kit, if they haven't done so already.

I believe the standard M3 camouflage pattern in Africa was OD green with white stars. They may have even used yellow stars too.

do you know if they ever used a desert tan or khaki? I know the british did.

I have seen a few pictures of Lees in a sand color (Don’t know the exact color) but it looks like most of them were Green.

I’ve also seen a few in a sand and dark brown camo pattern but don’t know if it was used during the war or not.

US M3 Mediums in Africa were either very dusty OD or dried mud smeared on the OD.

British used Lee's in overall sand or sand/green with undersides of hull/barrel in white. For those you'd have to add sandshields, British rails for attaching truck disguise and British stowage boxes (if you want to go for some accuracy you'd have to scratchbuild them anyway as the ones from the box did'n ever existed.

Greg

thanks guys! I am doing some research on the net, I usually just build OOTB but I want to be as accurate as possible.

I just picked up the Academy Lee. Just wondering if you have run into any snags or problem areas with the build.

For an OOB build only fit issue for me was betwen rear fighting compartment wall (part C9), upper hull (part F1) and part B32. those make for three layers of armour and gives dificulties fitting upper and lower hull assemblys when C9 is properly fitted in place. I removed peice of F1 to make it fit better. I'm still not through with constraction but this semed to be the bigges issue.

Cheers
Greg

Robert

I just picked up the Academy M3 Lee and was surprised to see the upper hull was not one piece. Are there any fit problems trying to get all the angles to line up

Steve

I have'nt started the build yet, did you run into any problems?

Sid Arnold of ABM makes a very nice upgrade for the Lee. It includes an engine module that has just what you'd see thru the screen of the engine deck. [/quote]


is there a web site for this?

is there a web site for this?[/quote]

I don't think ABM has its own website yet. However, Sid sent me the following along with pictures of these. (I've enclosed the photo of the engine pack below):

Hi Roy:

Thanks for the interest. You can order directly from me - U.S. cheque, money order or PayPal". There are attached jpgs of all 3 items:

ABM011 - U.S. Early M3 Lee Delux Update Set U.S. Retail $60.00
Resin 1/35 early production update set (113 parts) for Academy M3 Lee. Includes replacement 37mm gun turret & sub-turret, 37mm & 75mm gun counterweights, corrected 37mm gun mantlet, revised 37mm & 75mm gunner's sights, correctly sized drivers visor, correctly sized hull stowage boxes, partial engine compartment module, early & late style air cleaners, late style exhausts, revised lower hull rear plate, revised engine deck plate, revised front headlights & rear taillights, early/late style sirens, 30 cal. MG stowage brackets, revised tools, Karaya soft copper tow cable, complete replacement suspension system and many other fittings. Suitable for replicating U.S. WW2 M3 Mediums typical of the North African campaign.

ABM012 - U.S. Early M3 Lee Basic Update Set U.S. Retail $17.00
Resin 1/35 early production update set (12 parts) for Academy M3 Lee. Includes replacement 37mm gun turret & sub-turret, 37mm & 75mm gun counterweights, corrected 37mm gun mantlet and correctly sized hull stowage boxes. Suitable for replicating U.S. WW2 M3 Mediums typical of the North African campaign.

ABM013 - U.S. Early M3 Lee Suspension Update Set U.S. Retail $17.00
Resin 1/35 early production update set (48 parts) for Academy M3 Lee. Includes correctly proportioned and sized suspension bogies, springs, spring bases, return rollers, detailed drive sprockets, idler mounts, positionable idler wheel axles, 3-piece idler wheels. Easy assembly using Academy kit road wheels and suspension arms.

Let me know if you want to place an order. Shipping is U.S.$5.90 for one item and $7.90 for 2-3 items. Next 2 releases are ABM014 Grant Delux Conversion Set and ABM015 Grant Basic Conversion set (release date late-October).

Cheers

Sid Arnold
Armoured Brigade Models
Ottawa, ON Canada

email: sidneya@sympatico.ca

Just be careful to line everything up when assemblingthe upper hull.

I had no problems whatsoever - I did fix all the rivets, turret, and 2mm too tall bogies. I also used some left-over eduard M3 p/e for the tools ,etc....

Chris

Roy,
Great photo and I will keep you in mind if I plan on ordering any of the sets. rjeffs2501@yahoo.com

thanks chris, appreciate the help