Painting the M3 Lee

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I’ve finished the preassembly for a Tamiya M3 1:35. American tanks are my fav so I want to do it as a US tank. The problem is that I don’t want to do it in straight up OD. Something like this maybe.

I was hoping that you nice folks might have some other ideas for me, I don’t own any books on the M3 so I really would appreciate your help.

Thank you gents for you services. [:)]

2

The schematic you show is about the only camouflage seen on M3 Lees in combat. Some crews in Tunisia daubed mud streaks on their tanks to break them up a little. I’ve never seen a secondary paint color used on US M3 Lees. Maybe get some earth colored pastels or pigments and smear it on afterwards.

I’m sure you’d find some whitewashed Lend Lease Soviet M3 Lees. There were sand colored M3 Lees used by the Brits in N Africa but that’s it.

3

I was building this to practice some techiques for weathering and painting. The kit is a bit of a turd and I lack the ambition to correct it. So that is mud in that picture then. Maybe this one will be a fantasy Lee. I’ve got this tamiya mud stick thing I think I’ll try it out. It’s like a soft pastel.

26 you are quite helpful. I appreciate what you have to offer. Thank you.

4

Not much in the way of camo for OD tanks, unlike the Panzers, which is what I imagine, attracts so many to German armor. I’ve never seen that camo on the Lee, and really have only seen camo on the Shermans in Italy.

5

I’ve seen some interesting paint on M10s and M4s in NWE, M4s in the Pacific too. I chose this kit so I can practice spray can camo as I don’t have an airbrush and it’s difficult to fade with a spray can although I can do it. It’s about time to paint some other projects and I want to be rehersed.

6

There’s a new Osprey book out you might want to get a copy of titled:

M3 Lee/Grant Medium Tank 1941-45
(Osprey New Vanguard 113)

Tom T [C):-)]

7

I like the British 8th Army camo on their Grants

8

I really like it too. It’s easy with a spray can.

9

There are some nice US M3 schemes in the book M3 Lee Grant by Wydawnictwo Militaria. The book is written by Wojciech J. Gawrych but is in Polish with English captions. I like the 2nd Armor Division reverse AAC roundel style markings. Very colorful. 1st Armor Division used the yellow stars, that’s another look that will set it apart as well.

10

Hey Rob. I have a couple of modeling questions regarding the M3 to throw out there to you and anyone that might be able to help. As a lover of the movie Sahara, I want to try a dio, and attempt to recreate an accurate “Lulubelle” making her stand at Bir Acroma complete with the tarp on her head. I’m using the new Academy M3 kit.

The film is dedicated to the 4th Armored Div. which at that time was part of the British Eight Army. I have been unable to find anything on the 4th in at that time. Can you recommend a resource? Everything I find is about the 1st Armored. Since the movie is in b&w, it’s hard to tell what color everything is painted, although the base color of the tank appears to be straight OD and the turret stars look like they would be yellow scheme. Can you confirm this? Lastly, I can pull the tanks ID numbers off her in the movie, and I want to know if you can recommend a manufacturer who might make number transfers that match the original and if it’s possible to find some accurate “Lulubelle” lettering? I’m also wondering about that little cavalry flag on the radio mast. I know it’s a lot to ask, but as a fellow M3 lover, you appear to be a great resource.

Thanks in advance!

Ken