M-3 Lee Kit

[c.rainford73]

Hi Carl ( c.rainford73 ),
I didn't use decals, instead I referenced as much material as i could,and decided on yellow just to be different.
Then made computer cut vinyl stencils and airbrushed the numbers, stripes and stars. (very painstaking work)
Here is a side view with markings before I changed the wheels.
Cheers
Steve

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Steve this looks wonderful. The stencils look like they did the trick and your efforts have paid off What did you use for the headlights? This is something I've been trying to figure out. Looks like Sherman light guards?

[Raminator]

Looking good in OD, Carl. It's amazing what a difference a coat of paint makes, how it ties it all together. Nice work!

[Afrikakorps]

Hi Carl, yes I used Sherman light guards ( easy way out ) and Tamiya Pershing lights fitted with a small surface mounted diode (SMD). I recommend golden white for a more natural look.
Cheers
Steve

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[c.rainford73]

Looking good in OD, Carl. It's amazing what a difference a coat of paint makes, how it ties it all together. Nice work!

Thanks Mr Raminator

[c.rainford73]

Steve those lights look spectacular. Thanks for sharing this. I think this will be the way I go

[c.rainford73]

This evening I came home to find some fantastic bits in a box from Mr Sassgrunt (Mike) on the forum for this M-3 Lee build. He shipped them a few days ago ( for free ) from Hawaii all the way to the East Coast!!!!

I am blown away by the level of kindness that is exhibited by members of the forum like Mike who do kind deeds like this for people like myself again and again.

Now I will proceed with these parts to mount the Mato tracks on the Lee.

Those are my 3 year old sons hands by the way in the picture as he is helping dad with this build

Mike thank you

Carl

[c.rainford73]

Idler wheel difference much more detailed and wider...

[c.rainford73]

Idler wheel difference again. The offset is different so I added spacers and washers to overcome this and the wheel spins freely!

[sassgrunt]

Glad they made it to you Carl. One thing I've done in the past with the idler wheels is to "fill in" the edges with super glue. Then sand the face on a sheet of sandpaper on a flat surface, and when you paint them, the gap between metal & plastic will disappear and it will look like the real thing. -Mike

[c.rainford73]

Glad they made it to you Carl. One thing I've done in the past with the idler wheels is to "fill in" the edges with super glue. Then sand the face on a sheet of sandpaper on a flat surface, and when you paint them, the gap between metal & plastic will disappear and it will look like the real thing. -Mike

Mike these are just excellent parts. Thank you so much for the idea and the kindness you have shown by shipping these to me They make such a huge difference and look spectacular!

Silly question

How does one fit Mato metal or plastic sprockets on a heng long Sherman?

The shafts are a bit too large and the offset is different. Do I need Mato metal gearboxes?

If so does anyone know a part number for silly old me?