Tamiya M3 Grant Mk1

[Unit53]

Ah... Sean my friend, there you are. Thanks for looking in and good to hear your comments. This weekend I intend on hitting the Grant with some dust, get that stowage properly fixed and with a little luck job done on the actual tank. Well that's the plan today so will keep you posted and update on the progress. Need to gt the bench cleared up a bit before I start the figures but might try out something new with them in the pre shading department, never done it before so no idea how it will turn out but will let you know how that goes. Maybe I'll have to find a test candidate before I commit to the Eight Army as I don't want to muck them up. Telford goodies will be very tempting but need to get this finished as it really can't go back on the shelf of doom, that would be very wrong at this stage. Keep thinking about the "Beau" but would also like to get involved with the "six wheels or more" GB, some really great entries in that and I do like those WWII heavy trucks. Back to work now but roll on 5.30, I'm done with this week and looking forward to the weekend.


Martin

[Unit53]

Hi Martin, first off congratulations on your 3rd place in the WWI GB, cracking job mate that looked the business to me.

Really want to get my head down on the M3 this weekend and get that finished, hopefully do a bit of magic with some dust and get this beast sorted. So may thoughts for my next project but I think the next one will be a little cleaner and probably not so much stowage but I say that now, sucker for the stowage and loaded up vehicles.

The Puma was great fun and to be honest a 1/35 one would be sweet but no purchases now until Telford.


Martin

[Unit53]

So, seems I have survived another Telford and what a trip, budgets blown but a great weekend. I went with a plan this year and although only succeeded with one buy from my list managed to find a few new things of interest, one of which may be featuring in the six wheels or more SIG but that's another story. Having to put all temptation to one side for the minute it was back to the bench and crack on with the M3 Grant. Still seems a lot to do but spent some time sorting stuff out and finally I think I can say we're on the home straight, couple more days with some figure work, detailing and we'll be done. This is how I left the bench tonight...

Stowage placement sorted.





Added a few more shades to the ground work to bring the weathering on the running gear a little more inline.





Few base coats on the figures and a little detailing on the tank commander.








Martin

[JayCub]

Looking super Martin im delighted to have dropped in and witnessed the new updates
Tom

[Unit53]

Thanks Tom, lost my way with the Grant for a bit but now focused on getting it finished. Come so far with it now I must not let new projects spoil it but very happy with my progress all the same.


Martin

[m0gb0y74]

This is going to be awesome when it's done

[Unit53]

Thanks mate, glad you like it.

Friday tomorrow and hopefully some time in the shed this weekend, might be a crazy thought but who knows, may even get it finished! Well, that's my thinking today...


Martin

[Unit53]

So... The M3 continues and the next job is a little figure work. Now when it comes to figures I'm no expert but have a simple technique which works for me. I wish I was better but as they say practice makes perfect but I have a long way to go. Maybe as a winter project I'm going to have a crack at a 120mm figure just to push the limits. So basically this is how it goes with the 8th Army for this build. All base colours are painted and I will leave the detailing to washes, works for me.





With the flesh I used the classic humbrol as a base coat, then went in with a wash for the shadows and picked out the highlights with the original colour, quite basic but at 1/35 enough for me. Rifle straps were made from paper as I find these easy to mold and shape to the required positions, bit of a faff but worth the effort. The next picture is a before shot.



I made a base and put everything together and now I'm calling this project done, thanks for watching and for your comments it really does spur you on. One final pic and the rest are in the final reveal thread. Have enjoyed the build but glad it's done, really fancy a crack at something else now...




Martin

[Yevgeny]

That looks beautiful.

[SeanH20]

Totally agree with Yevgney. Another excellent build and thread. Hats off to you sir.To get all the parts of a diorama to make a coherent believable whole is a refined level of artistic/modelling skill and you do it every time. Top notch.

[Unit53]

Thanks gents, much appreciated. Tough project but done and dusted, on the display shelf now rather then the "shelf of doom". Got to think on the next project now and really good to have a finish.

Thanks for looking and see you on the next one...


Martin

[Tiger131]

Absolutely cracking work on all counts you have knocked it out the park with this dio pride of place on my shelf this would take

[JayCub]

I have to say I have really enjoyed this build log and seeing it all come together and that is one super diorama Martin
Tom

[Unit53]

Thanks Tiger 131, I just have to build that display shelf now as I really do need to sort a decent home for my finished models.


Martin

[Unit53]

Hi Tom, thanks for watching and of course your comments which were much appreciated. Started to loose the faith a little towards the end as I couldn't see the woods for the stowage. Glad it's done now and quite happy with my first attempt at a ISM GB. Just need to work out what to build next for…


Martin