Pacific, Heroes and Leaders mod Expansion

[asl3d]

Type 92 (2592) Osaka Armored Car / Model 92 Naval Armored Car

Armored car which as its fellow-members was primarily used in China because unable to move on the difficult grounds of the Pacific Islands. A 4-wheel model and a 6-wheel model were developed.

[asl3d]

Type 93 (2593) Sumida Armored Car

6-wheeled Armored car, being able to be used on road or rail. The change of mode took approximately 10 minutes. They were mainly used in China. Often two armored cars (on rail) were connected back to back what made it possible to change direction directly.

[asl3d]

Model 95 4x4 Scout Car / The Kurogane "Black Medal"

Light car of reconnaissance, not armed, which was conceived after the "Manchurian incident". The engine with air cooling was designed to function under the climates of China and Manchuria. Let us note that this small vehicle is of purely Japanese design whereas the other vehicles of this type all were based on American models. The Japanese model and those based on American models were produced with 4800 specimens approximately. This car was nicknamed by the Japanese soldiers Daruma.

[asl3d]

Marines

[asl3d]

M1A1 Combat Car

At the end of the 1st world war, the American Tank Corps was diluted in the infantry. At that time, the American Congress was very isolationist and the few military operations which had course in the Philippines or on the borders of the country did not require truly the use of tanks. It resulted from it that the budgets related to this weapon was really tiny. At the beginning of the Thirties however, the infantry and the cavalry showed more interest for this kind of vehicle. This interest allowed the development of "Light Tanks" for the infantry and of "Combat Cars" for the cavalry. In fact the two jointly developed models presented numbers of common elements. These machines were produced to the military arsenals of Rock Island in Illinois.
At that time the Americans were strongly interested by British Vickers Six-Tone also manufactured for export. A vaguely similar design the T1E4 Light Tank was developed starting from the British model and tested. At the same time the cavalry tested versions of this prototype like the T1 Combat Car.
M1 Light Tank is an experiment which did not make long fire. Indeed it was standardized on 28 January 1928 and was on withdrawn 3 months later March 30, 1928. The engine was assembled to before and the turret to the back. The pilot was installed under the turret. M1 was propelled by a Cuningham engine of 8 cylinders making it possible to reach only the 29 km/h. Its armament was composed of a gun of 37 mm M1916 and of a machine-gun of 7.62 mm (.30cal) both assembled on the turret.
The M1A1 Combat Car is a version M1 manufactured with 17 specimens in 1938, which had a back part refitted to facilitate the access to the engine. The M1A1 had an octagonal turret. The train of bearing was lengthened by moving of 28 cm the pulley towards the back with the last bogie trucks. With if not the M1A1 was identical to M1. In 1940 the M1A1 Combat Car was renamed M1A2 Light Tank with the formation of US Armored Force. The M1A1E1 is a diesel version of the M1A1 manufactured at 7 specimens in 1938. This version was equipped with the 9 cylinders Guiberson T-1020-4 engine developing 245 hp.

[asl3d]

M2A2 Light Tank

The M2A1 Light Tank (at origin T2E1) had a fixed turret, with round back part and lengthened front part. This turret had on certain specimens a cupola of commander. The armament of the M2A1 was composed of a heavy machine gun of 12.7 mm (.50cal) and of a machine-gun of 7.62 mm (.30cal) assembled on the turret as of a machine-gun of hull of 7.62 mm. Several gasoline engines of Continental mark were installed on the M2A1 developing up to 262 hp. The M2A1 could reach the 72 km/h on road. The shielding did not exceed the 16 mm.
In October 1936, the anti-tank gun of 47 mm (widened version of the 37 mm) was installed on a light tank M2A1 in a soft steel turret. This design which was created specifically as anti-tank weapon had insufficient performances and the project was cancelled.
The M2A2 Light Tank had two fixed turrets placed coast at coast on the hull. That of left was armed with a machine-gun of 12.7 mm (.50 cal) and that of right of a machine-gun of 7.62 mm (.30cal). The turret of left was equipped with a cupola of vision for the commander. The first models had turrets in the same model than that of the M2A1. On the following models the turrets were manufactured with vertical armour-plates: 7 for smallest and 8 for largest. The rear deck was angular. The last models will have a synchronized transmission. Rock Island Arsenal produced 237 specimens since 1935. It is the largest figure since the 1st world war.

[asl3d]

M3 Stuart

The light tank M3 Stuart is the result of a series of light tanks which began in 1931. However the development of M3 began really only in 1940 when Armored Force was created in June. Benefitting from the lesson of the campaign of France, the US designers modified light tank M2A4 by increasing its frontal shielding up to 51 mm and by installing an anti-aircraft machine-gun on the turret. The hull was prolonged to cover the exhausts and the suspensions with helical springs was retained. The new model was baptized M3 Light Tank. It had a crew of 4 men: the commander, the gunner, the driver and his assistant. As the M2A4, M3 was armed with the standard gun M5 of 37 mm with gyro-stabilizers. The hull was assembled by bolting and accomodated a Continental W-670 of 250 hp gasoline engine. Armament was supplemented by five Browning machine-guns of 7.62 mm: an anti-aircraft mounted to the back of the turret, coaxial mounted with the right side of the gun, a machine-gun of hull assembled on the glacis and two others mounted on each sponsons. M3 was standardized in July 1940 and the production began in March 1941. The Continental W-670 gasoline engine was in fact an engine of plane and because of the priority given to the air force, this engine was not available in great number for M3. To fill this lack one used the diesel engine Guiberson but especially Twin Cadillac V8 gasoline developing 220 hp. This last equipped a new model the M3A2. This prototype was tested on nearly 1000 km without knowing the least engine trouble, at the end of 1941. Twin Cadillac proved being higher than the Continental one, and the new model was approved for the production. The M3A2 was standardized as Light M5 Tank and not M4 not to be confused with Medium Tank M4 (Sherman). Because the installation of this double-engine, the rear deck of the superstructure was raised what gave to M5 with inclined frontof hull. An easily recognizable silhouette.
M3 was standardized for the production in July 1940. The first specimens made their appearance in March 1941. The first models with being equiped of the diesel engine appeared in June 1941. The M3A1 made its appearance in May 1942, the M3A3 in September 1942. Since 1941 because of the law lease-lend, M3 were also delivered to the British. Models M3, M3A1 and M3A3 all were manufactured by American Car & Foundry Co. The M3A2 was to be a version with welded hull as the M3A1 but it was never produced.

[asl3d]

M3 Stuart late

M3 had a crew made up of 4 men of which two took seat in the front part of the hull: the driver sitting in the front-left corner and the its assistant sitting in the front-right corner. The two men had sat behind the final command device and between the Syncromesh transmission with 6 speeds (5-1). The steering was with controlled differential and was carried out in via the steering levers while slowing down on one of the two tracks.
Front of the hull was made up of three parts: the frontal plate of the superstructure, slightly inclined, which was equipped with two trap doors assembled on hinges with port of vision - the plunging glacis, equipped with a machine-gun of 7.62 mm mounted on ball and bolted plates for the maintenance of the components of transmission - the frontal plate of the lower hull (nose), equipped with two projections (two brakes drums) and with two loops of towing. On M3 these various parts were bolted but onto the M3A1 they were welded. On the M3A3 the upper frontal part of the tank was simplified. The frontal plate of the superstructure and the glacis did nothing any more but only one and even plate. This plate was plunging and was always armed with the machine-gun of 7.62 mm assembled on ball. It accomodated moreover the various elements of lighting which before was assembled on the mudguards. The glacis did not comprise any opening has share a window of driving for the pilot. The access trap doors were now located on the roof of the superstructure. They were assembled on hinges and were equipped each one with a rotary episcope. The lower hull was preserved just as it is.
The superstructure of M3 occupied all the width of the tank. Space above the tracks was occupied by two machine-guns of 7.62 mm assembled on ball. On model M3A1, these machine-guns were removed and it space was undoubtedly used to arrange additional ammunition. On the M3A3, the design on the sides were completely different, indeed the side walls were not more vertical but tilted. Like the M3A1, the M3A3 did not have side machine-guns. Let us note that on M3, the sides were bolted, and welded onto the M3A1 and the M3A3.
Hull of M5 resembled much that of the M3A3. The glacis was inclined, the upper part was in the shape of reversed trapezoid and was welded whereas that lower was bolted. The glacis was equipped with abow machine-gun and elements of lighting. The access was done via two trap doors assembled on hinge located on the roof of the superstructure (front deck). Each trap door was equipped with a rotary episcope. Between them one found a circular air intake for the ventilator of hull. The nose did not change compared to that of M3. M5 did not have side machine-guns.

[asl3d]

M3A1 Stuart

The two other men of the crew were installed upright in the compartment of combat, the turret not having a well. The commander-gunner was located on the left gun and the loader at the right side of the gun. The compartment of combat was not separated from the compartment of driving and formed in fact one compartment. On the other side a thick firewall separated the engine compartment from the compartment of combat. The compartment of combat was crossed by the driveshaft connecting the engine to the Syncromesch transmission. The remainder of space was occupied by the storages of ammunition containing 103-106 shell of 37 mm.
The principal armament of M3 was the gun of 37 mm M5 or M6. The M5 model was assembled on M22 mounting on the turrets D37812 (turret with 8 faces, assembled by bolting) and D38976 (turret with 8 faces, assembled by welding). The M6 model was assembled on M23 mounting on the turrets D39273 (horseshoe turret with cupola of commander) and D58101 (horseshoe turret without cupola of commander). These four turrets equipped M3 but the last equipped only the M3A1 (and also M5). The gun of 37 mm had a length of 50 calibers for M5 and 56 calibers for M6 and an initial speed varying between 776 and 884 m/s. The gun of 37 mm could transpierce 48 mm of shielding under 30° to 500 m. It fired only piercing projectiles. The gun had a traverse of 360°, an elevation of 60° because a bevelled front and a depression of 7°. A Browning machine-gun was assembled coaxialy to the right side of the gun on the mantlet. Let us note that the breech-block of M5 was handled manually whereas that of M6 was semi-automatic. M5 had a provision of 103 blows of 37 mm whereas M6 had one of 106 of them. The M3A3 as for it had a special turret which also equipped the M5A1. This turret was equipped with a gun of 37 mm M6 on M44 mounting with a provision of 147 shells.
The M3A1 was equipped with the welded hull and did not have side machine-guns. The M3A1 was equipped with the D58101 turret. The M3A1 was equipped with the Continental gasoline engine but also with the Guiberson diesel engine. he models equipped with the Continental engine were called Stuart III by the British and those equipped with Guiberson, Stuart IV.

[asl3d]

M3A3 Stuart

The armament of the turret of M3 was supplemented by a Browning anti-aircraft machine-gun of 7.62 mm mounted on M20 mounting to the back of the turret. The latter was fired of the outside not a member of the crew what was hardly comfortable and making safe. The four above mentioned types of turret, had all ports of vision and shooting to the light weapon on the sides and the back. The entry in the turret was done via the cupola of commander equipped with a trap door assembled on hinges or on D58101 turret by two triangular trap doors rises on hinges. D58101 was equipped in more than one fixed episcope for the commander and of a rotary episcope for the loader. M5 was equipped with a D58101 turret. This turret was replaced by a very new turret on the M5A1 with a well of turret. This turret had a back lengthened to accomodate the radio station. The gun of 37 mm M6 was assembled on a M44 mounting and had a provision of 147 rounds of 37 mm. The anti-aircraft machine-gun of 7.62 mm was assembled on the right side of the turret and on certain turrets, the gunner was protected by a shield. This turret was also assembled on the M3A3. This new turret was quasi the only difference between M5 and the M5A1.
The M3A3 had a welded hull with the tilted walls. The M3A3 was equipped with the new turret with back projection. The M3A3 was equipped with the Continental engine. The models equipped with the Continental engine were called Stuart V by the British.

[asl3d]

M5 Stuart

The standard engine of M3 was the plane gasoline engine, Continental W-670-9A of 7 cylinders (radial), developing 250 to 262 hp to 2400 revolutions per minute. This engine made it possible Stuart to reach the 58 km/h. However this engine was also used by the air force which increasingly developed to obtain the control of the airs had a great need for it. The engine as well as the furl tanks, radiator, ventilator and another equipment were installed in the engine compartment. One could reach the engine via the back plate of the hull which was equipped with a door with two shutters assembled on hinge. This door were maintained closed by a bolted member. The back plate was also equipped with two loops of towing and two exhausts which were hidden by the back plate of the superstructure which overhung the back part of the lower hull. The back plate of the superstructure was connected to the rear deck by a soft inclined plate. These two plates accomodated various tools. On M3 these two plates were bolted but onto the M3A1 they were welded. The M3A3 presented about the same back part but the latter was equipped with a broad deflector of exhaust and the back part of the superstructure was different.
The M3 rear deck overhanging the engine of 4 bolted plates: the greatest mounted on the back accomodated a large trunk of arrangement, the three other sides by sides behind the turret accomodated the openings of thefuel tanks and for that of the middle a latticed air intake. Onto the M3A1 these plates were welded. On the M3A3, the rear deck was composed of only one part.
M5 comes from an attempt to replace the Continental engine because one great part of the production of this engine was used by aviation. At the end of 1941 one installed on M3 a Twin (double) Cadillac Series 42 engine of 2 X 8 cylinders (V) developing on the whole 296 hp to 3200 rpm. This engine although having an annoying tendency to take fire during the starting, but was higher than the Continental because more flexible and equipped with an automatic transmission (Hydramatic) with 5 speeds (4-1). Although having on road same maximum speed (58 km/h), M5 had an autonomy higher than M3, going up to 161 km.
M5 had a welded hull with a plunging upper front plate and an elevated back plate. M5 was equipped with the D58101 turret but especially with the double engine Twin Cadillac Series 42 gasoline. M5 was called Stuart VI by the British.

[asl3d]

M5A1 Stuart

The easiest way to recognize a model of the M5 series, with the turret, was its rear deck. Indeed because of the size of the Cadillac double-engine, the rear deck had to be raised and formed an easily recognizable bump. The front face of this projection accomodated a grid of ventilation whereas that back accomodated various tools. The higher part of the projection was made up of two plates of which behind accomodated another grid of ventilation. The back plate of the superstructure accomodated it also various tools. The back part of the lower hull was made up of two parts: the lower part which was equipped with a hook of towing and two loops of towing, overhung by the upper part equipped with four shutters assembled on hinges. This last part itself was overhung by the back part of the superstructure. In fact the back of M5 had the shape of a reversed staircase.
The suspension of M3 was of vertical type with helicoid vertical springs (Vertical Volute Spring Suspension - VVSS). It was made up on each side of two bogie trucks equipped each of two springs with spirals and two road wheels with steel bindings. It was supplemented by three return rollers as well as a front sprocket-wheel with 14 teeth and a broad adjustable back idler in contact with the ground. This suspension will not undergo quasi any modification during all the production of M3 (and M5) except on the level of the rad wheels. Each train of bearing was protected at least for the upper part by an armoured skirt whose form varies according to models. he suspension of M5 was nearly identical to that of M3 except for the shape of the road wheels. It was protected in its top by an armoured skirt. The tracks used for M5 are the same ones as those used by the M3A3.
The shielding of M3 was composed of rolled homogeneous steel plates which were assembled by bolting. In a concern to equip the tank with a great swiftness, the shielding was hardly thick, the speed being the principal asset of the tank. On the M3A1 and M3A3 the shielding was assembled by welding. The turret was also assembled by welding except the D37812 model assembled by bolting. The shielding of M5 was more consequent than that of m3 but thanks to Twin Cadillac, the swiftness of the tank was not reduced. The majority of the plates were welded.
The M5A1 had a welded hull with a plunging upper front plates and an elevated back plate like M5. But the M5A1 was equipped with the new turret with back projection. Like M5, it was equipped with the double gasoline engine Twin Cadillac Series 42. The M5A1 as M5 was called Stuart VI by the British.

[asl3d]

M24 Chaffee

The true work on the successor of Stuart began in April 1943. The new model of light tank was absolutely to remain within the weight limit of 18 tons. Two pilot models of this new light tank, baptized T24 were finalized in October 1943 by Cadillac. T24 had the same engines (twin) Cadillac and the same Hydramatic transmission as the last M5 Stuart as well as a Cletrac steering. The suspension of "torsion bars" type, was inspired by that of M18 Hellcat, with 5 independent double road wheels on each side.
T24 was armed with the gun of 75 mm M6 in a turret in the shape of flat stone with a back projection. To remain within the weight limit fixed, the shielding were hardly thick: 25 mm maximum for the hull and 38 mm maximum for the turret. Before even the tests, enthusiastic Ordnance Department, immediately ordered 1000 specimens of them. T24 was standardized in July 1944 under the name of M24 General Chaffee in homage of the pioneer of the US Tank Forces. The first specimen was delivered at the end of 1944.
M24 being a tank with a particularly well successful design, an order of 1000 specimens was quickly carried out. This figure was quickly changed to 5000. The production began in April 1944 on the assembly lines of Cadillac Motor Car Division.

[asl3d]

M3 Lee

Because of the success of the German medium tanks in Western Europe, 1700 specimens of this type were required. Three firms, Chrysler, American Locomotive Company and Baldwin Locomotive Works were contacted in April 1941, they presented their prototype. The production began in August from the same year. M3 kept as a whole the design of the M2A1 with the same suspension and an engine reduced to 340 hp. The hull had a maximum shielding of 56 mm and was assembled by riveting. The tank was surmounted by a hydraulic rotating cast steel turret, armed with a gun of 37 mm. The new gun of 75 mm was assembled on the front-right corner of the hull. This weapon was developed from the American field howitzer of 75 mm. In spite of the weakness of such a provision (limited horizontal field of fire), the increase in the fire power was very appreciable. In addition to the heavy weapons, a machine-gun of 7.62 mm was assembled coaxialy to the gun of 37 mm, another were assembled in a small cupola on the turret and two others were fixed at the base of the glacis in front of the tank.
In fact the gun of 75 mm had been assembled in this way because of the lack of an adequate turret to accomodate a such weapon. M3 was thus a provisional model while waiting for that a solution is brought to this problem. The solution will be brought by the models of the M4 series more known under the name of Sherman. All confused types, 6258 specimens of this medium tank were produced in parallel during this period. The tanks of the series M3 equipped not only US Army but also the British and with Commonwealth forces, the Free French Army and the Soviet Union. The British caused production of moreover 800 models equipped with a special turret which they baptized Grant I.

[asl3d]

M3 Lee late

The station of combat accomodated a crew of 4 men: the driver sitting to front-center, the radio-operator sitted behind him, the gunner of the gun of 75 mm sitting in the front-right corner and the loader of the gun sitting behind him. The driver had his command pannel placed in front of him and the radio equipment was located on his left on the top of the left track. The driver and the radio operator had for their vision an armoured window on the top of the glacis and an armoured port of vision on the front-left bevelled corner the hull. Another armoured port of vision was to the back of the central castle. On the last models the radio-operator was removed. The command final device was assembled transversely in front of the tank and the transmission perpendicular to this one. The transmission of the synchromesh type had 5 forward speeds and 1 reverse speed.
To reach or leave the tank, the crew had two trap doors assembled on hinges located on each side of the hull. Onto the last produced specimens, these trap doors which had in the beginning an armoured port of vision, were welded and the ports removed. To replace them, a trap door of escape was installed on the floor in the rear-right corner of the hull in front of the firewall of the engine. Another trap door of access mounted on hinge was located on the roof of the superstructure at the right side of the turret.
The gun of 75 mm was assembled in a casemate located in the front-right corner of the hull. This weapon assembled on M1 mounting had a length of 28.5 calibers (with or without counterweight in front of the tube to compensate the weight of the cylinder head) and an initial speed of 567 m/s and was much higher than the short gun (KwK L/24) of 75 mm which equipped at that time Pz.Kpfw IV and with the new gun of 50 mm (KwK L/60) of Pz.Kpfw IIIs. M2 could transpierce 60 mm of shielding under 30° to 450 mm and its explosive capacity was also very satisfactory. The gun was pointable until 15° on each side and had an elevation of 20° and a depression of 9°. The gun of 75 mm had a gyroscopic system of stabilization for the elvation, which made it possible to increase the precision of the shooting in evolution and especially in static fire. The block of the cylinder head of M2 was vertical. The periscope of the gunner on the circular roof of the casemate was replaced thereafter by a telescopic periscope.

[asl3d]

M3A1 Lee

Later M2 was replaced by a standard gun of 75 mm M3 having a longer tube (37.5 calibers) and an initial speed of 617 m/s, whose capacity perforating to 450 m under 30° was higher of 10 mm to M2. The block of the cylinder head of M3 was horizontal. The armament of the hull was supplemented by two Browning machine-guns of 7.62 mm twins which one sees the openings at the base of the glacis. The gun of 75 mm had a stock of 50 ammunition arranged in storage boxes.
The nose of the lower hull was composed of three parts bolted between them. This nose protected the system of final transmission which got the power necessary to the front sprocket-wheels. This system was connected to the engine by a driveshaft traversing the compartment in its length. The gear box comprised 5 forward speeds and 1 reverse speed. The steering was done using levers (by reversing the walk of a track or by varying the speed of a track) or via the brakes (while slowing down on a track).

[asl3d]

M3A2 Lee

The turret of M3 (identical on all the American models) was in cast steel. It accomodated a crew of three men: the commander sitting in the back-left part, the gunner sitting in the before-left part and the loader in the right part, in the center. The turret was actuated hydraulically or manually via a wheel on the circumference of a 1.38 m of diameter ring. It had a genuine well of turret which accomodated the seats and a significant number of ammunition of 37 mm. The turret was overcome by a cupola of commander provided with a trap door and armed of a Browning machine-gun of 7.62 mm.
The gun of 37 mm M5 or M6 was assembled on M24 mounting had a length of 50 calibers for M5 and 56 calibers for M6 and an initial speed varying between 776 and 884 m/s. The gun of 37 mm could transpierce 48 mm of shielding under 30° at 500 m. It fired only piercing projectiles. The gun was a traverse of 360°, an elevation of 60° because of bevelled front part and a depression of 7°. A Browning machine-gun was assembled coaxialy to the right side of the gun on the mantlet. Let us note that the breech-block of M5 was handled manually whereas that of M6 was semi-automatic.
The gunner had a sight system which one sees the hole on the left of the gun. The commander had on the cupola three ports of vision. The loader had a port of vision on the right side of the turret, backwards.

[asl3d]

M3A3 Lee

Model M3A1 was the only model with being equipped with the cast superstructure in the shape of turtleback. The models of origin had side doors which will be welded or completely removed to the profit of a floor trap door. M3A1s were been driven by a Continental R975 EC2 gasoline engine, of 9 cylinders developing to the maximum 400 hp to 2400 rpm. The back plate of the hull had a double-trap door on hinges flanked of two air filters. Let us note that 32 specimens were equipped with the diesel engine Guiberson T-1400-2 and were named M3A1(diesel). The British baptized the M3A1, General Lee II.
Model M3A2 was the first model with being equipped with the welded superstructure. The models of origin had side doors which will be is welded or completely removed to the profit of a floor hatch. M3A2s were been driven by a Continental R975 EC2 gasoline engine, of 9 cylinders developing to the maximum 400 hp to 2400 trpm. The back plate of the hull had a double-trap door on hinges flanked of two air filters. The British baptized the M3A2, General Lee III.

[asl3d]

M3A4 Lee early

Model M3A3 was the second model with being equipped with the welded superstructure. The models of origin had side doors which will be welded or completely removed to the profit of a floor hatch. M3A3s were equipped with a GM 6046 diesel engine, 12 cylinders developing to the maximum 410 hp to 2900 rpm or the Continental R975 EC2 gasoline engine, 9 cylinders developing to the maximum 400 hp to 2400 rpm. The back plate of the superstructure was prolonged to bottom and overhung a vast exhaust deflector. The trap door of the back plate of the hull was removed. The British baptized the M3A3sequiped with Continental engine, General Lee IV and the M4A3s equipped with diesel engine GM General Lee V.
Model M3A4, preserved the riveted superstructure. The models of origin had side doors which will be welded or completely removed with the profit of a floor trap hatch. M3A4s were been driven by a Chrysler A57 Multibank (several engines) gasoline engine, 30 cylinders developing to the maximum 425 hp to 2850 rpm. The British baptized the M3A4 General Lee VI.

[asl3d]

M3A4 Lee late

Model M3A5, was the last model of the series and preserved the riveted superstructure. The models of origin had side doors which will be welded or completely removed to the profit of a floor hatch. M3A5s were been driven by a GM 6046 diesel engine, of 12 cylinders developing to the maximum 410 hp to 2900 rpm. The back plate of the superstructure was prolonged to bottom and overhung a vast exhaust deflector. The hatch of the back plate of the hull was removed. The British baptized the M3A5 General Grant II.
In June 1940, Great Britain sent a commission to the United States to convince the Americans to produce British designs, but those refused. However they agreed to produce indigenous achievements for the use of the British forces. The British accepted subject to modifications. They examined in particular Medium Tank M3. The British found that this tank had a too high silhouette and required a turret less high than that of standard M3.
The new turret which used the same turret ring, was broader and offered more to espace to the crew and did not comprise a cupola of commander. A simple trap door with a machine-gun ring replaced it. A simple periscope was assembled on each trap door of access. At the interior certain US equipment were replaced by British material as the radio station in particular. The British made also install mud-guards (sand) on the sides. Certain models were equipped with external fuel tanks. The British baptized this special M3 General Grant I This model was produced for the British by Baldwin Locomotive Works, Pressed Steel Car Co and Pullman Standard Car Company.