Shouldn't this be in Non-Combat Vehicles? Oh, well. Wikipedia article for the
M3 Lee.
M3 LeeClassification: Medium Tank
Primary Manufacturers: Rock Island Arsenal, Detroit Tank Arsenal, American Locomotive Co.
Production Run: August 1941–December 1942
Number Produced: 6,258
Weapon Analysis:
1 × 75 mm Gun M2/M3
1 × 37mm Gun M5/M6
4 × .30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine guns
OverviewThe Medium Tank M3 was an American tank used during World War II. In Britain the tank was called by two names based on the turret configuration. Tanks employing US pattern turrets were called the "General Lee", named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Variants using British pattern turrets were known as "General Grant", named after U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant.
Design commenced in July 1940, and the first M3s were operational in late 1941. The U.S. Army needed a good tank and coupled with United Kingdom's demand for 3,650 medium tanks immediately, the Lee began production by late 1940. The M3 was well armed and armored for the period, but due to design flaws (high silhouette, archaic sponson mounting of the main gun, below-average off-road performance) it was not satisfactory and was withdrawn from front line duty as soon as the M4 Sherman became available in large numbers.
The M3 was tall and roomy: the power transmission ran through the crew compartment under the turret cage to the gearbox driving the front sprockets. Steering was by differential braking, with a turning circle of 37 ft (11 m). The vertical volute suspension units included a return roller made with self-contained and readily replaced units bolted to the chassis. The turret was power-traversed by an electro-hydraulic system — an electric motor providing the pressure for the hydraulic motor. This fully rotated the turret in 15 seconds. Control was from a spade grip on the gun. The same motor provided pressure for the gun stabilizing system.
Overall, the M3 was able to cope with the battlefield of 1942. Its armor and firepower were the equal or superior to most of the threats it faced. Long-range, high velocity guns were not yet common on German tanks in theatre. However, the rapid pace of tank development, and amongst other things its riveted armour meant that the M3 was very quickly outclassed. By mid-1942, with the introduction of the German Tigers, the up-gunning of the Panzer IV to a long 75-mm gun, and further in 1943 the appearance of the Panthers, along with the availability of large numbers of Shermans, the M3 was withdrawn from service in the European Theater.
Type: M3 Lee
Movement Type: Tracked (Medium)
Equipment Rating: B/X-X-X/D
Mass: 27 tons
Equipment Mass
Chassis 8
Engine/Control 400 hp 8.5
Type ICE
Cruise 2
Flank 3
Heat Sinks 0 0
Fuel 193 km 0.164
Turret 0.5
Armor Factor (BAR 5): 58 4
Front 3 15
R/L Sides 3 10
Rear 3 9
Turret 3 14
Weapons and Ammo Loc Mass
75mm Cannon F 3
Ammo (75mm) 46 B 1.15
2 x .30-06 Machine Guns F 0.04
37mm Cannon T 0.55
Ammo (37mm) 178 B 0.178
2 x .30-06 Machine Guns T 0.04
Ammo (.30-06) 9200 B 0.368
Crew: 7
Cargo: 510 kg
Notes: Features Armored Chassis modification; Features the following Design Quirks: Obsolete/1944
