Tamiya M3 Grant Mk1

Post by **Unit53** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:57 am

Right, here we go... My entry to the "Shelf of Doom" GB is the M3 Grant Mk1 by Tamiya. Really not sure why this ended up on the shelf, may have been moving house, could have been shed build or perhaps just a loss of interest but not sure why. The kit is mostly built, very dirty and hidden in the box was a Black Dog stowage set. Not planning on a diorama but think this one will need some weathering and a simple base and if I get time maybe a figure or two. This is how it stands now...

Instructions were open here at stage nine which is the end of the assembly.

And, the stowage set...

Post by **Unit53** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 11:00 am

The M3 as i left it was here, pretty much built but the tin work still in the box.

I had slapped a bit of paint on the tracks but this will get the full treatment later...

Post by **Unit53** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 11:07 am

No time like the present and before I knew it I was pulling it about and assembly continued. Front and rear fenders attached and married up the hull to the running gear, bit of filling and with a bit of luck today some grey primer. Will have a look in the stash and see what I have in the figure department to see if we can't spice this girl up. Really nice stowage set and I have started cleaning up these but I'm going to have to go on a hunt in the stash as I seem to be missing one bit, maybe raided it for another unfinished project.

Post by **Tiger131** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 2:15 pm

looking forward to seeing this come on and like the addition of the stowage on the back

Post by **Unit53** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:27 pm

I've had a poke around in the stash and found these figures but I'm unsure, what with all the stowage maybe tank riders are the wrong choice but we will see, once I have it made up we can have a test fit and see what pops. I have a couple of on patrol gents and the tank Commander if all else fails...

Post by **Unit53** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:47 pm

So what promised to be an OK day turned out to be rather dull so managed to sneak off and get a bit more done on the Grant. No big problems to mention yet and all going ahead quite smoothly. I cut and trimmed the stowage set and got that all primed up and ready for paint. These I will paint separate and fix the Grant before I get on with the weathering.

Next up I primed the Grant with an all over grey. I'm a big fan of the Halfords Grey when it comes to primer and always get a smooth and tough finish, excellent base and quick drying but best results if you leave over night. Take your time and don't flood it, one coat should do the trick.

I saw a tutorial sometime back on weathering but as of yet never used it so think this could be a great test bed for all those things I've wanted to try for awhile. This is to give a textured base for the later stages of weathering, I mixed up some dry dirt from the garden with Mr Surfacer and stippled on with a brush around the wheels, running gear and lower hull. Hopefully this will set solid and will give a good effect once I start to use the pigments, dry brushing will work a treat on this as well.

You can go as mad as you want depending on the finished effect you require but on this occasion I'm sticking to just the wheels running gear and lower hull areas.

Post by **Unit53** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:59 pm

Quick look at how things are coming on, had to pop the tracks on and the turret to get a feel for it...

In my excitement on getting things going noticed I'd forgot two rather important parts so quickly rectified. Leaving the track guards off for now until I have the base colour on the running gear, tricky spot for the airbrush and mounting the tracks so until I'm done there then best left off.

So pretty good progress today, wish it was like that more often! So until the next update thanks for looking...

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 6:42 pm

Little bit of an update on the Grant today, some heavy pre shading, tri tone camo so thought best to hit it hard and make it all ugly. Plan is to weather this one quite heavy as she wasn't a much loved beast unlike the newer Armour.

Post by **Unit53** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 7:47 pm

Some progress yesterday so this is where we stand this morning, hope to get some more done at some point today. I have sprayed the running gear and started the weathering and I am now ready to attach the track guards now the tracks are on. The weathering is just a base coat of pigments and sealed with a matt varnish, this all looks a bit bright right now but hopefully will add some depth when I get to the dusting. Bit of an odd way round of doing things but the tracks are quite a snug fit and wanted to sort this before fixing the the guards in place, this I will mask off before I spray the main hull.

Adding pigments and fixing with a matt varnish. I used three different shades of desert sand and light dirt.

While this was all drying turned may attention to the base, I have decided not to go with the the Tank Riders although will use the commander figure with the tin hat. I have the Tamiya Eighth Army set so will use the two walking figures from that instead. Ground work wise I wanted a slight hill so started with a Foamex base and built up the incline with foam board strips. Next up I built up the contours with plaster of paris, once dry I will coat this with a 50/50 water and PVA mix and sieve various grit and then prime. Pretty basic stuff but once primed, painted and dusted hopefully the effect I am looking for.

Once this has all been completed I will fix this to a wooden base, nothing to fancy though.

So, whats the plan for today... It's looking rather foggy outside this morning so maybe duck off to the shed now and leave grass cutting till this afternoon. I also have another project on the go in the shape of a Super Stock Dodge Dart but awaiting a delivery of Bare Metal Foil so the Grant will get my full attention. I hope to get the base primed and the track guards on and primed. If all goes well I should be able to get the base camo sand colour on, think it's Tamyia XF59 but I check on that, will keep you posted on what I use. Stowage wise this will be a hand painting job with a little bit of airbrush work which I will be using the Panzer Aces Vallejo paint, really like this stuff and if you add satin varnish to the mix it really helps if your using washes to bring out the detail. Well that's the plan but will let you know how I get on...

Thanks for looking

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Sun Sep 07, 2014 9:39 am

Here's a little background on the M3 Grant...

The Medium Tank M3 was an American tank used during World War II. In Britain the tank was called by two names based on the turret configuration. Tanks employing US pattern turrets were called the "General Lee", named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Variants using British pattern turrets were known as "General Grant", named after U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant.

Design commenced in July 1940, and the first M3s were operational in late 1941. The U.S. Army needed a good tank and coupled with the United Kingdom's demand for 3,650 medium tanks immediately, the Lee began production by late 1940. The design was a compromise to produce a tank as soon as possible. The M3 was well armed and armoured for the period, but due to design flaws (high silhouette, archaic sponson mounting of the main gun, riveted construction, below-average off-road performance) it was not satisfactory and was withdrawn from front line duty as soon as the M4 Sherman became available in large numbers.

I have remembered why this ended up on the shelf, my initial plan for this one was to convert it into a Canal Defence Light (CDL). This was a British "Secret Weapon" of the Second World War but never really took off. Basically they took the Grant body and mounted a powerful carbon-arc searchlight instead of the gun turret. This was intended to be used during night raids and the light would allow enemy positions to be targeted. A secondary use of the light would be to dazzle and disorient enemy troops, making it harder for them to return fire accurately. The canon on the turret in his picture is fake to disguise the true purpose of the tank. Maybe a project for another time...

Post by **Tiger131** » Sun Sep 07, 2014 12:17 pm

Looking forward to seeing the final paint job on this....and some great reference photos to work from

Post by **Unit53** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 9:26 pm

Right..! First chance of an up date since Sunday. Good day on Sunday and pretty good progress, achieved much of what I set out to do and here are the results. I finished the ground work on the base and primed followed by a coat of light buff ready for brush grass, pigments and the odd rock, this will be applied once I have decided on the figure configuration. I will be going to Euro Militaire in Folkstone on the 20th so may well hunt out some better figures. I'm happy with my revised choice but if I see something better I may well invest. So here is the base primed up...

All the photo's so far have been taken from the bench under my lamps which in some cases seem too make the colours to bright so set up a board outside and took advantage of the sunshine. Kind of brings it back to scale, note I have now added the fenders and fixed the tracks. Totally wrong way of doing it but seems to be working a treat with this project.

Next up I masked the tracks off with a sheet of paper for a loose mask, think you'll agree this looks a bit odd, sort of a WW2 version of the Challenger II dust skirts, looks like a bad bit of Photoshop to me but it did the trick. Primed the track guards and although I don't have a photo re-applied the pre-shading to the body and then hit the whole thing with the base Desert sand first coat...

Post by **Unit53** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 9:35 pm

Put it all together and this is how it all looked at the end of the day, one shot at the bench and then two outside. Happy with the progress so far but getting the fear about the tri-tone camo. I consider myself handy with an airbrush but have never freehanded a camo so what to do, get some plastic card and practice or carry on with the single colour as I think it's looking pretty good as it is. I really like the idea of the camo scheme but worrying about messing it up, not defeated and this weekend will do some test, if I get a result I will crack on but need to see how I fare before taking the plunge. So this is it as she stands on my bench today, another week of work to deal with before I get to have another go...

Thanks for looking...

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:57 pm

Somethings adrift!!!!

Time to reach for the book of words...

The camo dilemma continues! Really have to say the box art and instructions with the tri-camo scheme had me sold, it looks great but on further inspection this isn't a camo scheme she would have worn! Basically with the M3 Grant (British Pattern Turret) we find ourselves in El Alamein 1942-43 fighting with Monty and the second battle. The British Forces in Northern Africa had just received delivery of M3 Grants, 300 Shermans and 3 prototype Churchill tanks and the camo scheme would have been Desert Yellow or Light Stone base with Dark Olive Green Disruptive. I have dug deep into Google and here are my findings, must admit very interesting and hopefully informative.

Item One, rather nice collection of Shermans but if you look to the right of the photo we see our subject, the M3 Grant:

Even though a black and white photo its pretty obvious to see we are working only with two colours, the next picture closer up of the Sherman reveals something else, take note of the lower hull right at the bottom between the tracks a third colour for the mix:

This is white and only appears on the underside of the hull and the uderside of the main gun barrel. On delivery and after maintenance all vehicles would be returned back to the unit in the latest GO (General Orders) Paint Schemes and at this time it was the Sand, Olive Green and White. The pattern noted in the kit instructions is also incorrect for this period and although sprayed at source some field modifications also come into play, they did have mobile teams with spray equipment but also the long handled brush would feature. The Sherman pic above is definitely the Disruptive pattern of that period and matches all of my findings although very crudely applied. Take this next picture, the disruptive was definitely applied by a spray gun but also shows running of the paint a pretty rough and rushed job.

As everything short supply of paint called for alternatives and according to the GO of the time if Dark Olive Green was unavailable then Dark Brown, Slate Grey and Black could be used as an alternative, maybe it's here the confusion unfolds. So all this taken in what am I going to do with the M3?

Well to be honest I'm not feeling the green and what with my excitement about the three tone brown original scheme I think I am going to opt for the Dark Brown replacement, bit more confidence in spraying it and also similar sort of feel to the original design in mind. Here are a couple more images I found which may be of some interest and to prove that in the field the troops did actually use what they had to hand, check this out and I'm pretty sure that the scheme in the Tank Museum derived from this...

If I can also refer back to the picture of Monty riding the M3 and take note of the roughness of the finish, it was also common when painting the Light Stone base colour they would sprinkle actual desert sand over the wet paint, think this is quite well illustrated here...

So panic over and one day wiser, good compromise I think what with easing my airbrush fears and most of all, it will be historically correct. I will share some more information and the actual pattern itself when I come to spray it although I think it will be a little tidier than the field job shown above...

Thanks for looking and I hope I haven't bored you to tears...

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 9:12 am

Bit of an M3 Frenzy this week in he research department and I have actually now found an example of the tri-tone camo pattern. Reaching for the encyclopedia of tanks I found this example but unfortunately it's an unknown unit from the 8th Army and only a side profile.

I have read the up on the battle of El Alamein and had a quick flick through a book on the 8th Army and have come to the decision that I will be doing my M3 Grant in this scheme. It works with the General Orders of the day and the disruptive brown used was almost a black colour so this is now what I am shooting for.

Thoroughly recommend the using the Osprey books for reference and very good insight on how the M3 project unfolded in production. Don't get me wrong, I am no rivet counter but have passion for all things WW2 and love researching the subject. So, today's project will be to hit the shed and brush up the airbrushing skills, yesterday I primed up some plastic card ready for the testing. Will have to mix the brown myself from the Tamiya paints I have as like I said this brown colour is nearly black. I'll see how I get on this morning and maybe if I am lucky with turn my attention to the stowage as I would like to have this in place before I start the pigments. Once the camo scheme is done I will be adding a filter and then some chipping and highlights, I will fit the stowage before the pigments. Next weekend is Euro Militaire and I will be on the hunt for some figures to complete the project, will try my best not to totally destroy he wallet, last years adventure was rather costly. If anyone is in the area and able to attend I totally recommend this show as the Armour and figure work is second to none. I will try and take a few shots and post them on my thread of some of the outstanding work. Still a long way to go on the build but happy with the progress so far hopefully I wont mess things up with the camo scheme.

Thanks for looking and until the next update...

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:42 pm

Such a good Sunday, few beers, war film and some shed time, just perfect... Had a try at the freehand airbrushing but not there yet, time to break out the faithful white tack worms. To be honest a half heartened attempt but in the end spent the time and hopefully got it right. So this is how the main body stands at the end of play today... *Note the camo pattern does not follow the profile, I am sticking to the General order of the day.

Quite happy with the result but still lots to do, filters chipping, pigments etc, etc... But, a good base to start with.

The turret hasn't had much show yet but this is still standing in a pot at primer stage with some pre-shading.

I have assembled the tank commander but he still need a little work, seem lines and a bit of filling but you get the drift, think he's going to look all good sitting up top. Still need to sort out the head gear and radio or maybe I should just stick a pint in his had...

Post by **Unit53** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 pm

Made good progress today and have letf it for now to all dry, will have a look mid week to see how we fair. Made a start on the stowage, not much but a start. Sand bags on the front and a canvas roll which will be fitted to the side, lots more in the bag to do but it's a start... The sandbags have only had a first coat but the canvas rolls have had a sepia wash, trying to vary the sand/buff colours to add depth and the straps will be picked out in another colour. These will also have a pigment dusting once fitted to the hull...

Thanks for looking...

Martin

Post by **martin57** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 9:26 pm

very cool like it a lot well done

nice history.

Post by **Unit53** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 7:44 am

Thanks for the comments Martin, still lots to do but quite enjoying this one. Must admit trying a few new techniques but happy with my progress, hopefully things will turn out ok.

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 10:57 am

Find myself this morning (at work) scratching my head about the tank commander...

As the M3 will be ladened with stowage would the tank commander be wearing a tin hat? Maybe he should have a beret or nothing on his head at all, something else to look out for at Euro Militaire, some alternative heads.

Would love to do these chaps running up the sides but if it was an attack then the vehicle wouldn't be loaded with stowage...

I quite like the look of these though from Dragon, these are from the Italy campaign though but with a bit of painting I'm sure I could get away with it, well, the guys in shorts at least. This would also support the tank commanders get up.

Or go totally the opposite way and go for something like this, god help me with the camel!!!!!

As usual I seem to find myself way ahead of myself but surely, that's part of the fun. Perhaps keep mulling this over until Saturday and then see what's on offer, take it from there...

Will keep you posted.

Martin

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:12 pm

Wow...just coming across this build thread and what you've done so far looks awesome and was really interesting to read!

Looks like there' three Martin's within this thread!

Cheers

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:36 pm

Thanks for the comments Martin, glad your enjoying the thread, I must admit I'm learning a lot from this build. Quite a fun project so far but a lot more to come, fingers crossed it all works out to plan.

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 10:21 am

Another weekend passes and it's back to work this morning. Not much to report on he M3 today as most of the weekend was taken up by Euromilitaire and some re-organising in the shed, I needed to have a re-shuffle and get a little more organised so not really much time at the bench. Euromilitaire on Saturday was awesome, once again I was astounded by the quality of the work and so tempted by the traders and the wealth of needful things that were on offer. Along with Telford this for me is one of the best shows of the year and thoroughly recommend it but be prepared and save up some cash as so much on offer other than the latest kits. My shopping list this year was minimal but did manage to go over budget… As always!

So first off lets have a look at what I bought and the small M3 update. My hoard consisted of a box of figures, I did opt for the Dragon set mentioned before (I know these are from Sicily but sure the ones in shorts with a bit of modification will fit the bill nicely), a set of WWII tank commanders heads, couple of vallejo paints and a bottle of Extra Thin for the store cupboard.

I also love 120mm figures, never made one mind and not sure I have the skills to do it justice but I seem to be compiling a small collection, maybe one day but until then they stay in the stash. No surprise for me then to walk away from the show with another in the shape of the Eighth Army…

The tank commander heads are from Hornet and are superbly detailed, I have opted for the the jolly looking chap in the middle to replace the current one I have on the tank commander. The figure body has the headphone wires moulded up to the neck, I will be continuing them up to the headset later on in the project.

Bit of work with the side cutters, the Dremel and the new look commander now sits like this. Quite looking forward to painting him up, excellent detail and recommend having a look at the range. You'll be able to get these from Historex and if your at Telford, keep your eyes pealed as they will be about.

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 1:39 pm

That 120mm Resin figure, looks awesome...I just started my first ever resin figure; a Verlinden 120mm 101st Airborne Paratrooper. I've always been strictly aircraft, but this figure is for a project in memory of my Father-In-Law who served with the 101st during WWII. And, I must say....I've really enjoyed building and painting it so far.

You should go for it, once you start it, you won't be able to put it down...that's what happened to me

Post by **Unit53** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 9:26 pm

Hi Martin,
Really do like the 120mm figures but like I said not sure I could do the face justice, fairly confident with everything else but the face

I have a set from Arnhem, British Paratroopers but whilst talking to Gordon (the guy who get my figures from) he introduced me to a set of 4 101st Paratroopers which really did look the business.

Are you doing a thread on your 101st figure?

Just picked up on your YouTube channel... Will be watching closely

Martin

Post by **ChrisCanada** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 10:40 pm

I just acquired this same Tamiya kit of the Grant. It will only be my second tank ever so I'll be studying this thread very closely. Many thanks for sharing your experiences and your research! Looking forward to seeing the final product. Great job so far!

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 4:25 am

Unit53 wrote:Hi Martin,
Really do like the 120mm figures but like I said no sure I could do the face justice, fairly confident with everything else but the face I have a set from Arnhem, British Paratroopers but whilst talking to Gordon (the guy who get my figures from) he introduced me to a set of 4 101st Paratroopers which really did look the business.

Are you do a thread on your 101st figure?

Just picked up on your YouTube channel... Will be watching closely

Martin

Hey Martin,

Yes, I started a build thread which is a three part build series, here's the link for it: http://intscalemodeller.com/viewtopic.php?f=258&t=8349

Cheers

Martin

Post by **AchtungPanzer** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 7:01 am

Looks ExtrA at this moment

. Keep it up mate.

Post by **Unit53** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 9:25 am

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the kind words, it is a really nice kit and no real problems to report. Good amount of detail, fits well, she really is quite a lump! This is mainly due to the high profile and the riveted Armour plates which ended up being some of it's many failings… The tank commander that comes with the kit is ok just lacking a little detail but adequate if your building from the box. Good luck with your build and will you be doing a thread on your progress?

I still have quiet a way to go with this one but happy with my progress so far. I have more research to add but will try and keep it relevant to the build...

Thanks for looking in...

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 9:26 am

Hi Martin,
Thanks for the link to your 101st build, great looking figure and will definitely be tuning in to watch your progress, maybe this is what I need to get me geared up to make a start on one mine.

Thanks for your comments

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 9:26 am

Thanks for the comments AP and thanks for looking in. Lots more to come and hopefully the end result will look something like what I have pictured in my head..!

Martin

Post by **ChrisCanada** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 10:29 pm

Unit53 wrote:Good luck with your build and will you be doing a thread on your progress?

Thanks Martin! I haven't done any build threads yet as I'm only on my third kit since returning to the hobby after 30 years. I'd like to though. I feel I owe it to all the great guys on this forum and I don't want to turn into a permanent lurker. It will be a while though as chaos in my current living conditions is preventing me from doing any building right now. I'll be sure to give you a heads up when I start.

Post by **Unit53** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 10:40 pm

I hope you get your chaos sorted Chris and do start a thread, the encouragement you get here is a real driving force, no matter what level. Thanks for posting and keep me posted! Pleasure to have you on board and if you can take anything from my build, all the better.

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 10:57 pm

OK, I did promise a few pics from Euro Militaire so just for the eye candy here are a few builds that caught my eye, none of mine I hasten add… Brilliant source of inspiration but honestly, I must try harder… The figures are just outstanding!

Something for everyone I hope...

and enjoy!
Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Sat Sep 27, 2014 9:33 pm

Right, A good afternoon in the shed but to be honest a very much "what ever" kind of session, I'm sure you'll know these days. Everything I picked up just seemed too much of an effort but all the same, progress was made, even though random. The turret is on!!!! But, slightly brighter than the hull, not to worry to much as we could refer to this as modulation but to be honest once the dust has been applied it'll all look right, it's not that far out...

So had enough of that so turned my attention to some figure work, four out of the six figures assembled. They still need webbing attached and rifles etc, bit of filling and of course paint and then we're in business. They look a little plastic right now but that's because they are, time will tell...

Again after an hour or so this too lost my attention and I found myself in the world of what to do next... Bored... Although a pleasure to be in the shed not quite in the right frame of mind however, this can't go back to the shelf of doom as this is being watch by you good folk so the pressure is on, finish the dam model for............. sake..! So what to do

Here I am at my bench wthl a whole bunch of bits...

But if we stick it all together, you kind of see the end result. Must admit I haven't done everything in the correct order but with a bit of jiggery-pokery think we are going to be in good shape... Just have to put that Normandy Bocage Panzer IV out of my head for now...

So that was today and hopefully tomorrow renewed enthusiasm, time for a smoke and run the dogs, rather a nice evening...
Couple of things to note, turret hatches will be painted interior white and all the stowage will be lashed down correctly, this was just positioned for the camera and not in it's final location, you know how it goes... So much to do, chipping, weathering, more ground work, stowage, figures... this is turning into a big build, but all the same very much enjoying it...

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Sat Sep 27, 2014 9:35 pm

Thanks for looking and hope to have something else to report tomorrow...

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Sat Sep 27, 2014 10:47 pm

Stumbled across this photo during my research...

Look at Monty, now look at the MB box art, very nice...

Another rather nice shot, just for the record on he last few days of the desert conflict and finally the Germans were in retreat, it pored with rain and the dust bowl desert battle field turned into a complete quagmire...

And of course the boys, bit of reference for the figures...

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 1:14 am

She's looking awesome now laden with stowage!

Post by **ChrisCanada** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:28 pm

Looking great! Carry on! This will be a real showpiece I think.

Post by **Hillbilly** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 3:14 am

Beautiful build!Excellent job on the camo and stowage.

Post by **Unit53** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:03 am

Thanks Guys, really glad our liking the progress, lets hope I don't disappoint. Hoping to make some more progress this weekend so will keep you posted. Lots to do so may have to pull my finger out, stowage, figures and a whole lot of dust, she's going to be dirty.

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 10:20 am

Haven't had much time at the bench over the last couple of weeks, heavy work deadline caused a bit of a frenzy. Anyhow, deadline smashed and time to claim back the weekends, lets head to the shed... An awful lot of bits and bobs to do, I painted the base coat and shadows of the flesh tones on the tank commander, all looking a bit to orange here but once the highlights go down think he will look less sun burnt. Started to work on the stowage and put a few colours down. Mixing it up between sand tones and greens to try and add a little contrast, really don't want this to look like one big lump of stuff.

Painted the inside of the hatches on the turret interior white, looking very bright at the minute but once they get some weathering they will knock right back.

Sprayed the hull and turret with desert sand wash, will wait for this to dry and then with a cotton bud start some streaking. The plan was to flood it so we get some build up on those raised areas. Will work on his a bit more for effect and then I will start to fix the stowage before introducing the pigments and dust effects. Think this will work better once the stowage is on and hopefully simulate dust build up from traveling. For the front I have some sand bags but did have to sand and cut to get these to fit snugly but think I have it about right now.

Need to get to work with a little streaking now to break up the flat surfaces but quite happy with my progress so far. My photo's look a bit on the dark side today so will try and take some outside later if it stops raining. Should be back at the bench today at some point so hopefully will be able to post some further updates later...

Thanks for looking...

Martin

Post by **Yevgeny** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 5:44 pm

Looks great! Like how you done dirt at the front of the tank.

Post by **Unit53** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 11:54 am

Thanks Yevgeny, appreciate your comments. I will be adding further dust effects once the stowage has been fixed into place.

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 11:55 am

DECALS… Most annoying! Completely forgot about these! Bit of a set back but we'll just have to make them work, I'll have to chip them up a bit and what with the weathering I still have to do probably will get away with it. Annoyed but not the end of the world, just want to get this one done now as I am sure when I return from Telford new modelling projects will be tempting. Decals now in place and fortunately not to many. Obviously looking to bright and shinny right now but will get to work on them shortly.

Turned my attention to the stowage, like I mentioned before I have varied the shades to try and break up the big lump. Fairly simple way of doing things, base coats, dry brush highlights and then a wash to pick out the details. You could go further but think this will suffice as they will also get a dusting.

I have decided to fix the stowage with pins, think this will be a better option for both strength and of course makes the gluing very tidy. Nothing flash here just drill a few holes and superglue some fuse wire. Locate measure up and drill the receiving holes on the hull. Apply glue to the pins so this will stick to the clean plastic on the newly drilled holes on he hull. The side canvas is fix but the sand bags on the front haven't been fixed yet.

Had a bit of a break from the stowage and had a look at the ground work, still at an early stage but sprayed a few extra sand tones to give it a little depth and added a few rocks. I will have to add some pigments to this to marry up with the tones I have used on the running gear.

So, coming to the end of the day I decided to bundle everything on to see how things are looking. Next job is to finalise the stowage layout, quite happy with this configuration but also have some oil drums and petrol cans to add which I haven't painted yet. Once all the stowage is located I will start the dusting with pigments and thinners. That should be it for the M3 then so will finish the base, clear the bench and turn my attentions to the figures. Two more weekends before Telford so the plan is to get this done and dusted before then, well that's the plan right now.

Thanks for looking…

Martin

Post by **Unit53** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 7:03 pm

Full weekend in the shed but little progress on the Grant this time, Saturday I sat down and to be honest I needed something to get the old juices flowing. Fear not this isn't the end of the M3 as this will be done, oh yes, it will be done... However, did need something to get me back in the groove so a quick 72nd scale rapid build was in order, no messing around just get it done. Quite happy with what I did and now will turn my attentions back to the Grant next week, so as sign off for a Sunday this is what was left on the bench tonight... Something AchtungPanzer might like, hope you approve buddy as you are the master of 1/72.

And thanks for looking
Martin

Post by **JayCub** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 7:36 pm

Great build log Martin, I enjoyed the dialogue as much as the build, very entertaining with alot of great photographs
Tom

Post by **Unit53** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 6:56 pm

Thanks Tom and glad your enjoying the thread. Been working hard on the M3 and just needed a quick build, hence the Puma. Should be back to normal business next week!

Thanks for posting

Martin

Post by **SeanH20** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 8:52 pm

Great build thread here. Love the paintwork on the stowage and the overall look of the piece. Keep at it, don't let Telford treats tempt you away. Looking forward to the figures, they will be great. I know cos I've seen some of your other work first hand

I hope the brief affair with the Puma has rekindled your desire to complete. I mean we're all watching now

Cheers

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 11:37 pm

That M3 looks the Dog's Danglies! Awesome stowage, weathering and paintwork