M3 Lee interior
1/35 Kit No. 1807
Review by Terry Ashley

Consisting of 80 resin pieces cast in the usual grey/green resin from Verlinden the pieces are cleanly cast with no air holes or other blemishes the only cleanup being the normal resin casting blocks to be removed and of course the bath in warm detergent water to remove any release agent.
While the detail is good with most parts crisply cast, in some areas the detail is a little “soft” but this is not to say it is poor, it is still quite acceptable but not as crisp as we see from other manufactures.
Overall the casting is quite acceptable with the absence of any blemishes or warping noticeable especially with the large rear bulkhead and side sponsons floors.

Some minor surgery is required on the Tamiya M3 hull and this should be done before assembling the resin parts. The moulded walls behind the 75mm gun and the plastic filling in the turret ring has to be removed from the kit as well as the rear wall of the upper hull, none of which should be a problem?

Hull Details:
A single large casting has the forward transmission and gearbox in one piece to which is added the drive train tunnel back to the engine compartment bulkhead. Smaller items such as the driver’s seat, gear levers and details to the bulkhead are also added including the 37mm ammo rack. The large ammo box for the 75mm rounds has its doors moulded closed.
The two side sponsons have new lower panels to which is added the radio and ammo storage, this includes the early 50 round ammo drums for the Thompson. The large instrument panel and twin fixed .30cal MG are fitted to the front hull.
The 75mm gun position includes the inner mantlet with the gun in two parts, the forward recoil mechanism and the breech with the block in the closed position. Also included are the gunner’s seat and traverse and elevating wheels as well as the large shoulder guard fitted to the left of the gun but not the supporting bar around to the right of the gun. In all this makes into a nicely detailed gun mount and interior and with the large side doors left open much of it can be seen.

Turret details:
The 37mm turret interior includes the upper turret ring, basket walls and floor, added to these are the ready racks of 37mm ammo, fold down seats and traverse wheels. The 37mm gun includes the forward mount (early type before the addition of the counter weight), main gun with breech included and the separate rear guard. Additional racks of 37mm ammo are included for the turret walls as well as the main sight and elevation wheel.

Conclusion:
In all a very nice interior of the Lee, comparing the parts to the photos in the Hunnicutt Sherman book most major components are included but as with any kit extra details can be added if you wish?
As I mentioned above with the large hull doors left open most of this detail will be visible and make for a busy interior.

The Resin Bits

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• ‘SHERMAN’ A History of the American Medium Tank. By R.P.Hunnicutt
  

Page created 3 October 2002