M3 Grant

This is an old Airfix 1/32nd kit which was a very good kit, much better than Tamiya's Grant, however the fact that it was not in 1/35th scale probably led to it's demise. I built this kit when I was a kid. I hadn't the slightest idea what I was doing but had the book British Tank Names and Markings to copy ideas from. I invented the stowage box at the rear of the engine deck and 30 calibre MG mounted on the turret.

I copied a photograph in the book for the camouflage scheme; I added no markings save a yellow triangle on the turret side which I hand painted. The model was subjected to some experimental weathering consisting of blotchy washes and dry-brushing with of all things, latex house paint! I added some boxes and fuel tins from the Italeri US & Allied Equipment Set and made some sand bags from epoxy putty (Biggs I think). Some tarps were made from tissue, a model ship chain was added and a camouflage netting made from cheese cloth soaked in model paint was hung from the starboard side railing (fortunately it can not be seen in this photograph. The model met a timely demise at the hands of my young nephews.