M3 Medium Tank, Grant, Lee
| Model | US Turret | United Kingdom Turret | Engine Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| M313 | Lee I | Grant I | Gasoline |
| Lee IV | Grant IV | Diesel | |
| M3A113 | Lee II | Grant II | Gasoline |
| Lee V | Grant V | Diesel | |
| M3A213 | Lee III | Grant III | Gasoline |
| Lee VI | Grant VI | Diesel | |
| M3A313 | Lee VII | Grant VII | Diesel |
| M3A413 | Lee VIII | Grant VIII | Gasoline |
| M3A513 | Lee IX | Grant IX | Diesel |
A wooden mock-up for the M3 design was completed in August 1940. The Board had the remaining MG sponsons removed and the turret lowered.1
The chairman of General Motors (also member of National Defense Advisory Committee) convinced the US government that the auto industry should be used for massed tank production as the governments factory at Rock Island wouldn't be able to keep up with demand.1 The Government built a factory in Detroit that was run by Chrysler.1,8
| M3 Lend-Lease | United Kingdom |
USSR | Brazil | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941-42 | 2,64313 | 1,38613 | 7513 | 4,10413 |
| 1943 | 21213 | 2113 | 23313 | |
| Total | 2,85513 | 1,38613 | 9613 | 4,33713 |
| Notes | M3A3: 4913 M3A5: 18513 |
410 sunk in transit13 |
The M3 was ordered straight from the drawing board (July 19409) and Baldwin and the American Locomotive Company each made pilot models by April 19419.8 Production began in August 1941 and ended in December 1942.8,9 A total of 6,258 were produced.9
It was intended only as a stopgap tank before the M4 Shermans arrived. When the M4 started production the M3 was designated Substitute Standard in October 1941. In April 1943, they were classified as Limited Standard and in April 1944 were classified as obsolete.
Chrysler leased a 113 acre site for a new factory in Warren, Michigan.
Crew
At the left front sat the driver with the gearbox beside him.8 The driver also operated the twin MGs in the hull.8
Engine
The engine was in the rear with the fuel tanks on each side of the engine compartment.8
Main Armament
The turret could be rotated by hydraulics or by hand. The cupola normally rotated with the turret but could be rotated by hand.
The driver and radio operator occupied the front of the hull. The 75 mm gunner sat on the left of the gun. The 37 mm gunner, gun loader and commander were in the turret. Both guns had gyrostabilizers8 and periscopic sights. The driver's door and the pistol ports had protectoscopes for indirect vision.
An auxiliary generator provided electricity when needed.
75 mm gun had muzzle velocity of 1,920 ft/sec, range of 13,090 yards, and penetrate 2.9 inches at 1,000 yards. Muzzle velocity of 1,850'/sec and weighed 14.4 lb.11
37 mm gun had muzzle velocity of 2,900 ft/sec, range of 12,850 yards, and penetrate 1.8 inches at 1,000 yards. Muzzle velocity of 2,550'/sec and weighed 1.9 lb.11
Where Used
Were first used in the Philippines.1 They were then used in North Africa, including Kasserine Pass.1 In the Pacific they were used at Makin Island by the Marines.1
Supplied to Britain and Russia (1,4001) as Lend-Lease. 750 were sent to Australia.1
Used at the Battle of Gazala on May 27, 1942.9 Many were used at the Battle of Alamein that took place from October 23 to November 4, 1942.9
M3 Medium Tank

Aberdeen Tank Museum
Initial production type. Production of this model ceased August 1942.
With riveted hull, cast turret, and side doors. All riveted construction.8
The 75 mm gun fired a 14.4 lb AP round at 1,290'/sec.12 The 37 mm fired a 1.9 lb AP round at 2,900'/sec.12 The .30 cal fired at 2,800'/sec.12
Diesel version
Had Guiberson diesel engine.8
M7 Priest:
Had turret removed and box structure installed with 105 mm howitzer.
155mm Gun Motor Carriage T6 (M12):
Used M3 Chassis.
Experimental Versions:
Mine Exploder T1:
Shop Tractor T10 (Canal Defense Light): Was intended to illuminate areas during night actions.1 The turret was replaced by an armored searchlight.1
Cargo Carrier T14:
Heavy Tractor T16:
3" Gun Motor Carriage T4:
105 mm Howitzer Gun Motor Carriage T25:
75 mm Gun Motor Carriage T26:
40 mm Gun Motor Carriage T36:
3" Gun Motor Carriage T40 (M9):
25 pdr Gun Motor Carriage T51:
Flamethrower Vehicles: Used E3 and M5R2 flamethrowers.
| M3, Lee I | M3, Grant I | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, driver, loaders(2), gunners(2).4,9 61,2,3,4,5,8,9,10,11,12, 73 |
Commander, driver, loaders(2), gunners(2).4 63,4 |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Weight | 26.1 tons7, 26.7 tons1, 27,216 kg1, 28 tons2, 27.9 tons3, 30 tons8, 31.1 tons11 60,000 lb4,5,9,10, 62,280 lb12 27,216 kg9, 27,900 kg |
28 tons3 |
| Length w/gun | 18.6'11, 18' 6"1,4,5,8,9,10,12 5.6 m9, 5.64 m1, 5.65 m7, 5.9 m2 5.64-6.12 m, 5.63 m3 |
18' 6"4 5.9 m3 |
| Length w/o gun | 5.64 m | |
| Height | 10' 3"1,4,5,8,10,12, 10.3'9,11 3.02 m2, 3.1 m9, 3.12 m1,3,7 |
9' 4"4, 10' 3"4 3.02 m3 |
| Width | 8.9'9,11, 8' 11"1,4,5,8,10,12 2.7 m9, 2.72 m1,3,7, 2.75 m2 |
8' 11"4 2.75 m3 |
| Ground clearance | 17 1/8"10,12 0.43 m2,3 |
0.43 m3 |
| Ground contact length | 147"10,11,12 | 147" |
| Ground pressure | 12.6 psi, 12.9 psi, 13.2 psi11, 13.36 psi10, 13.4 psi9 0.9 (kg/cm2)9, 1.2 (kg/cm2)2,3 |
1.2 (kg/cm2)3 |
| Turret ring diameter | 57"10 | |
| Armament | ||
| Main | 75 mm M2 or M31,4,9, M1 mount, L/31 75 mm L/312,3 75 mm5,8 75 mm M2, L/287 OR 75 mm M3, L/387 75 mm QF M2 L/3111 75 mm M212 |
75 mm M2 or M34 75 mm L/313 |
| Secondary | 37 mm M5 or M61,4,7,9, M24 mount, L/56 37 mm L/562,3 37 mm5,8 37 mm QF M5, L/5011 37 mm M6, gyrostabilized12 |
37 mm M5 or M64 37 mm L/563 |
| MG | 4: 7.62 mm MG1 1: MG2 4: .30 cal Browning M1919A4, coaxial, cupola, hull (2)9 3: MG3,5 3-4: .30 cal Browning MGs4 .30 cal MG, cupola8 2: .30 cal M1919A4, coaxial, hull11 4: .30 cal M1919A4 MG, coaxial, cupola, fixed bow (2)12 |
MG3 3-4: .30 cal Browning MGs4 |
| Side arms | .45 cal submachine gun Hand grenades12 |
.45 cal submachine gun Hand grenades |
| Quantity | ||
| Main | 419,11, 461,4,12, 502,3 | 464, 503 |
| Secondary | 1781,3,4,12, 17911, 1822 | 1784, 1823 |
| MG | 9,2001,3,4,12, 3,1002, 8,00011 | 3,1003, 9,2004 |
| Side arms | .45: 1,200 Grenades: 1212 |
|
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 12 - 379,
124, 374,
1.5" - 2"5 Front: 2"11, 507 Side: 1.5"11, 377 |
124, 374, 12 - 506 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 38.1-50.82,3, 508 2"@0°12, 2" (4 3/8") 38-51@0-45° |
38.1-50.83 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 1.5" (2.75") 38@53° & 51@30° |
|
| Hull Sides, Upper | 38.12,3 1.5"@0°12, 1.5" (1 5/8") 38@0° |
38.13 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 38@0° | |
| Hull Rear | 38.12,3 1.5"@0°12, 1.5" (1 5/8") 38@0° |
38.13 |
| Hull Top | 12.72,3 0.5" 13@83-90° |
12.73 |
| Hull Bottom | 12.7-25.42,3 0.5-1" 13@90° rear, 25@90° front |
12.7-25.43 |
| Turret Front | 50.8-76.22, 508, 50.83 2"11, 2.25"@0°12, 2.25" (6.5") 51@47°, mantlet 89@0° 76 |
50.8-76.23 |
| Turret Sides | 50.82,3 2.25"@0°12, 2.25" (2") 51@5° |
50.83 |
| Turret Rear | 50.82,3 2.25" (2") 51@5° |
50.83 |
| Turret Top | 31.82, 22.23 7/8" 22@90° |
32 31.83 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Continental R-975-EC21,9,10 Continental R-975-E11,10 Continental Wright2,3 Continental R-9755 Wright Continental (Whirlwinde) R-9758 Wright R-975-EC2, radial11 Continental R975-EC112 Guiberson T-140012 |
Continental Wright3 |
| Cooling | Air2,3,8,9,10,11,12 | Air3 |
| Cylinders | 92,3,5,8,9,10,11, R-912 | 93 |
| Net HP | 400@2,400 rpm2,3,11,
3405,7,
340@2,400rpm9,10 Continental: 34012 Guiberson: 34512 |
400@2,400 rpm3 |
| Transmission (Type) | Synchromesh11 5 forward, 1 reverse2,3,11 |
Synchromesh 5 forward, 1 reverse3 |
| Steering | Controlled differential11 | |
| Starter | Electric or hand11 | |
| Electrical system | 24 volts11 | |
| Ignition | Magneto | |
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline2,3,9,10,11 | |
| Octane | 8010, 9210 | |
| Capacity | 174 gallons11, 175 gallons10,12 662 liters2,3, 796 liters |
662 liters3 175 gallons |
| Fuel consumption - Road | 0.837 mpg11 | |
| Fuel consumption - Cross country | ||
| Power to Weight Ratio | 12.7 hp/ton9 | |
| Performance | ||
| Traverse | 37 mm: 360°4,12, 18°/sec, hydraulic & hand11, power or manual12 75 mm: 15° each way8,12 |
37 mm: 360°4 75 mm: 15° left, 15° right4 |
| Max Speed | 22 mph11, 25 mph12, 26 mph1,4,5,8,9,10 40 kph7, 42 kph1,9, 40.2 kph3 |
26 mph4 40.2 kph3 |
| Cross Country speed | 4-20 mph11, 16 mph4,9 26 kph9 |
16 mph4 |
| Road radius | 120 miles1,4,9,10, 146 miles11 193 km1,2,9, 177 km2 |
120 miles4 177 km3 |
| Cross country radius | 120 miles11 | |
| Turning Radius | 37'10 18.9 m, 19 m3, 21 m2 |
21 m3 |
| Elevation Limits | 75 mm: -9° to +20°4,12 37 mm: -7° to +60°4,12 |
75 mm: -9° to +20°4 37 mm: -7° to +60°4 |
| Fording depth | 3' 4"4,10,11,12 1 m2,3 |
1 m3 3' 4"4 |
| Trench crossing | 6' 2"10,12, 6' 3"4, 6.3'9, 7.5'11 1.9 m9, 2.3 m |
6' 3"4 |
| Vertical Obstacle | 2'4,10,11,12 | 2'4 |
| Climbing ability | 30° slope12, 31° (60%) slope11 | |
| Suspension (Type) | Volute Spring3 3: Vertical Volute bogies8 Vertical volute spring, 3 bogies of 2 wheels each11 |
Volute Spring3 3: Vertical Volute bogies8 |
| Wheels each side | 62 | 63 |
| Return rollers each side | 311 | |
| Tracks (Type) | Dry pin, double pin per shoe, rubber cleat11 | |
| Length | ||
| Width | 16.5"4, 16 9/16" 420 mm3 |
16.5"4 420 mm3 |
| Number of Links | 7911,12 | |
| Pitch | 6"11,12 | |
| Tire Tread | Rubber3 | Rubber3 |
| Track centers/tread | 81"12, 6' 11"4,10, 7'11 | 6' 11"4 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1943-1945, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- British and American Tanks of World War Two, The Complete Illustrated History of British, American, and Commonwealth Tanks 1933-1945, Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis, 1969
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
- AFV 11: M3 Medium (Lee/Grant), Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- Tank Data 2, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, E. J. Hoffschmidt and W. H. Tantum IV, 1969
- M3 Lee/Grant Medium Tank 1941-45, Steven J Zaloga, 2005
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