The Art Of Tank Warfare - Chris Keeling

M3 Lee
95
Type: Tank Top Speed: 40 KPH (30 off-road)
Availability: Nov 42 – May 45 Redline: 2400 RPM (1800 average)
Playability: AI only Armor:
Main Armament: M2 75mm L/28, Hull Front: 51mm
M6 37mm L/53
Depression/Elevation: -9°/+20°, Hull Sides: 38mm
Secondary Armament: 2 Hull MG, Coax MG, Hull Rear: 38mm
AA MG
Ammunition: 46/178 (75mm/37mm), Hull Top: 12mm
9,200 (MG)
Smoke: None Superstructure Front: 51mm
Turret Traverse: 20 seconds Superstructure Sides: 38mm
Radio: Yes Superstructure Rear: 38mm
Target Size: Large Superstructure Top: 12mm
Height: 3.12 meters Mantlet: 25mm
Weight: 28.9 tons Turret Front: 51mm
Ground Pressure: 1.2 kg/cm 2 Turret Sides: 51mm
Maximum Slope: 27° Turret Rear: 51mm
Maximum Vertical: 0.61 meters Turret Top: 22mm
Late in 1941 the US tank designers, realizing that the current M2 and M2A1 medium tanks were outclassed
by recently developed German tanks, decided to devise a new series of medium tanks for the American forces.
It was to have a 75mm gun housed in a central turret, and the concept led to the production of the M4
Sherman series. In the interim, they decided to make the M3 medium tank. This was an upgrade of the M2
with thicker armor and a 75mm M2 gun mounted in the right side of the hull in a sponson. It retained the
37mm gun of the M2 in a turret atop the main superstructure, along with a secondary turret for the
commander above the primary (with a .30 MG). The two bow MGs were mounted and linked together and
fixed to fire forward, under the control of the driver. 6,258 M3 were built, along with 1,334 M3A1 to M3A5.
The remaining vehicles were declared obsolete in March, 1944, and were quickly removed from service, to be
replaced by the M4 Sherman.
Options: None.