Has anyone built the Academy M3 Lee?

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I see that Academy has done an M3 Lee, I know there are numerous complaints about the Tamiya Lee / Grant kits so I was wondering how this new kit is?

I have the 2 Tamiya kits and I’m wondering if this new one offers something different.

I tried a search but only came up with some stuff from 2004 discussing the possibility of this kit and discussion of the Tamiya kits.

Thanks

2

Check this review: http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/academy/acd13206.htm

Hope this helps… Regards.

3

I heard that the major problems with this kit were the mishaped upper hull and the rivets. But there is an aftermarket kit to replace the complete top portion. Check it out:

http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=LF1133

4

The suspension is also about 2mm too high and the decals are for one with a later exhaust

5

I’m in the process of building it as we speak (I’ve just finished putting the decals on). The list of inaccuracies with this kit have been well documented. But that being said, the engineering of the kit is amazing, light years ahead of the Tamiya kit. For instance, the hull panels went together flawlessly for me. It all comes down to whether you can live with the various inaccuracies. Normally, I don’t concern myself with many of the problems mentioned in various reviews and forums, on this or any kit. IMHO spending $25 on an AM bogie set because the kit ones are 2mm too tall is not my idea of money well spent. Yet if a problem is an easily fix, I’ll usually give it a go. To me, sitting on my bench, it looks like an M-3 Lee.

6

I agree!

7

I have both the Tamiya M3 Grant and Lee, I just like the tank and the Tamiya kits were cheap. I’m not a rivit counter so don’t mind some inaccuracies and definately not enough to spend more than the cost of the kit to fix them. I like the idea of an interior though, guess I’ll keep my eyes open for a sale and try to pick one of these up.

Thanks

8

At this time I am building the Academy kit. I was inspired to get it after buying Bogart’s film “Sahara” on DVD. The only additions I am making are using various Archer decals as I trying to recreate a scene from that movie with Lulabelle. As for aftermarket additions, I am using the AFV Club track and the early M4 engine set from Verlinden. The Verlinden engine set fits quite well with some slight modifications to the kit. I’ll post some pictures when I am done with it. So far I like the kit. There seems to be a lot of variation on the interiors of this vehicle. Some of the references do not notate the differences which is confusing and the Squadron “In Action” booklet has one interior photgraph upside down!

9

telsono: have you seen Chris Hughes’ photos?

http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/lee.htm

http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/grant.htm

10

I could’nt agree with you more. If the model makes me happy I do’nt give a hoot about the wrong angles of the hull or whatever it is tha is wrong with it. If anybody wants a super accurate model, look for the real thing and zap it to 1:35 scale! That I hope will be accurate!