U.S. M3 Lee (85052)

The  Medium Tank M3  was an American tank used during World War II. In Britain the tank was called  “General Lee”, named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

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 armoured 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archaic sponson mounting of the main gun, below average off-road performance) it was not satisfactory and was withdrawn from front line duty as soon as the M4 Sherman became available in large numbers.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 design was unusual because the main weapon a larger caliber, low-velocity 75  mm gun was in an offset sponson mounted in the hull with limited traverse. A small turret with a lighter, high-velocity 37  mm gun sat on the tall hull. A small cupola on top of the turret held a machine gun.

• Constructed of both die cast metal and plastic.
• Chassis and turret are metal.
• Elevating barrels.
• Tracks roll.
• Working treads.
• Accurate markings and insignia.
• New packaging for 2012 no ties or screws, double blister construction.