On the Workbench M3 Grant Mk1 - Mirage kit in 1:72

Next in the production line from the arsenal of democracy the M3 Grant. This is the Mirage kit - still in three parts for painting (I have used RB brass turned barrels from Lancers). This is going to be the command tank for the Sherman tanks I am currently painting up suitable for Tunisia. I don't think the Grants were used in this role once they crossed to Sicily but would love to be proved wrong.

Sand skirts come with this they'll be added after the running gears painted

Brass antenna for wireless sets also added

Stage one of thecompleted

Painting completed including copious sand The original kit comes with complete sand skirts I decided to remove the left front to make a more war worn appearance. The Mirage kit comes with a few white metal parts including this commander model - vaguely reminiscent of Monty!
Thanks to the wise folks at the The Guild I now know that the Grants where still used (probably as command vehicles in Sicily at least0. So this one is marked up for 23rd Armoured Brigade who still had a few on returns in Sicily.

Air recognition markings from extradecals

The wargamers view.

Sherman stowage and bailout packs for British tanks from Milicast

Brass aerials added and green stuff for the rolled tarp.

Proved wrong! A Grant Command tank in Sicily with M3 gun removed and 37mm replaced with a dummy. Mine will double up as a gun tank in some El Alamein to Tunisia games. so I am not making drastic conversions to it.

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Scenario and AAR Second Battle of San Salvo 2-3 November 1943

Tanks of 46 (Liverpool Welsh) RTR History “On the V Corps of 8th Army front was paused on the Trigno river, British 78th Infantry Division attacked along the coastal road while 8th Indian Infantry Division attacked some 10 mi (16 km) inland. Fighting was fierce, but on 3 November, British 78th Division reached San Salvo, some three miles beyond the Trigno, at which point Generalmajor Rudolf Sieckenius—commanding 16th Panzer Division—decided to make a fighting withdrawal to the Sangro river and the formidable Gustav defensive positions overlooking the river from the ridge tops on the far side. The plan was that the Skins were to capture San Salvo and the ridge on the left, while the Buffs were to capture the ridge to the right of the town. The first part of the attack was to take place just before first light, and from first light onwards the two Infantry Battalions were to have the assistance of a Regiment of Tanks. The Buffs had a pretty clear run through on the ...

on the workbench Sd Kfz164 Nashorn

Attack/ Counterattack near El Hamma 1943

Attack/Counterattack near El Hamma 27th March 1943 German Forces from 15th Panzer Division 1 Platoon Panzer III kurtz (short) 1 Platoon Px III lang (long) 1 Platoon Pz II 1 Panzer IV F2 1 Marder 1 supply truck 1 timed Stuka strike 1 FAC in Sdkfz 250 British Forces from 2nd Armoured Brigade Forward HQ in Grant Mk1 gun tank 2x Sherman tank squadron consisting of 3 Sherman III tanks 1 carrier section from 1 The Rifle Brigade consisting of 3 carriers with 1 Bren team 1 2" mortr team and 1 Vickers MG team FAO in Daimler Dingo FAC in Humber Scot car Radio link in M5 halftrack 1 battery of 25 pounders (off table) Battle We used the attack/ counter attack from the rulebook to represent this typical encounter as the 1st Armoured disision supported by 2nd New Zealand division fought towards Gabes on the Tunisian coast after breaking through the Tebaga Gap. The 15th Panzer Division fought despearately to allow Generel Messe to evacuate hs forces from the Maret...

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