I wanted to get some Grants for the 1942 desert battles. Although they were rapidly replaced with Shermans, they played a key role in 1942, and largely relegated the Stuarts and 2pdr Crusaders to the role of light scouting tanks. Their heavy armour, high firepower and reliability was a nasty shock to the Germans at Gazala, and in numerous engagements they bore the brunt of the tank fighting.
These three are QRF models. I could have got some Zvezda Lees instead (I already have three in OD) , but the idea of converting the turrets was too much. Maybe if I hadn't been painting so much other stuff at the time.
This is a nice solid metal model. Well cast with lots of detail and sits very well once assembled. The main components are the hull, tracks, 37mm turret, 75mm sponson and (I think?) some stowage boxes. There wasn't much flash, the only bit which needed work was the 75mm sponson which comes with the circular gun traverse cover moulded on as a single piece. It sort of slots into the hull, and a certain amount of cutting and filing was needed to make it fit properly with the mount flush with the hull.
While it isn't as fine as a plastic model, the cast on detail is nice and deep so great for washes and dry brushing. The 37mm gun is also very sturdy, unlike the spindly 2pdrs on a number of QRF models. Different designer I think.
I did them all in different colour schemes. This one is just plain light sand, as so many of the Gazala Grants were.
This is one of the hastily painted ones. The upper structure and outside of the running gear are sand, but the lower hull is still Olive Drab. It is a bit hard to make out the green bits in the photo as they are in shadow.
The last one is in the inevitable Imperial War Museum blobby disruptive camo, which was more of an Alamein scheme. The base colour is Desert Pink and the disruptive is GW Bestial Brown (a very useful colour) edged in white and lined with a black lining pen.
I'm very pleased with those and looking forward to getting into action and giving the Hun a good biffing! I've just realised I need another one though, looking at the mix of Squadrons and Regiments. Doh!
Nice work Martin.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, the Grant turret always seems to produce difficulties for model manufacturers: from Airfix onwards, they are either too small or too large or the wrong shape! 15mm have less problems in this regard than 20mm.
Neil
Thanks Neil. I wonder if the turret issues are because it was cast and doesn't really have a regular shape? Looking at these, there is something slightly odd about the way the gun sits on the turret front, but OK for gaming purposes. They have a nice hefty feel to them.
DeleteIndeed, and the turret looks different in various period photos. I’ve seen a couple which look dead on the Airfix turret, although generally it’s much to squat and flat!
ReplyDeletePerhaps there were different turret versions, although I'd be surprised as I assume the manufacturers worked off a standard set of plans.
DeleteNice work, the Grany is that brief transition tank .. the best we had before the Sherman showed up .. I have some in 20mm (and "I think" my niche 15mm collection - need to check there) .. I will need in the future to get some for my 10mm stuff [my other Western Desert Period]
ReplyDeleteThere was a Lee in all that 20mm stuff I sold you (done in SCC2 Brown upper and OD lower). I bought rather too many Lees to use in Tunisia and Russia, but I guess they will do for Burma too.
DeleteNice work, Martin. It's the "just need one more" problem, then finding that they come in a pack of two! :-)
ReplyDeleteRegards, Chris.