I can't tell if the plate was only stamped with very shallow indentations in the first place, or whether it's been worn down by past polishing. Some paint is missing from one corner and it isn't brass. Dark brownish colour, but not rusty. Bronze, maybe? The lower line has a flat blank space for the number to be hammer-stamped. This one really is No7, so very early.

Assuming it to be not very deeply stamped, you wouldn't see the text in 1/35: it's a fraction of a millimetre in real life and almost invisible when painted over. Doubtless it could be etched in an after-market set: I'm sure some will appear soon. Archer 3D decal, perhaps? Maybe they'll do some M3 casting and foundry numbers and symbols.

Excellent work here Gary. Very interesting thread.

One thing I noticed is that all the screw slots line up exactly the same direction like they do on the M3 halftrack, but here, the kit ones have the screw slots horizontal, while the pic of the Bovington beast has them vertical.

Anyone know if every Grant had them the same way?

The Grant and the Lee featured in the Squadron/Signal Walk Around both have the screws at a 45 degree angle.

Thanks Peter. I kind of answered my own question later by searching and found this pic


Intersting how every screw lines up, but at different angles on different vehicles..

They were probably assembled by two men, one on the outside had a screwdriver blade and one on the inside had a socket wrench or nut driver. The outside guy never turned his tool, just moved from screw to screw while the inside guy turned the nut.

Screws that were removed in the field, like those on the plate behind the M1 gun mount, weren't nearly as tidy.

KL

Camo colours are now on followed by a filter and then a pin wash. A bit garish at this stage, but the OPR will help tone things down and blend everything together....









Gary

Looks great!

excellent work Gary, that's the light at the end of the tunnel we're seeing.

OUTSTANDING!

Nice paint job!! You can get a .30 cal tripod from this Academy kit.
I also bought this kit..plus the Academy version. Comes in such a tiny box lol

Very nice, what product (If any) did you use for the pin wash? Or was it the good 'ole' fashioned way?

Great job Gary!
Dan

This is a really fantastic build. I am just about to start mine, hope it turns out half as good!

What paints did you use for the camo?

Mike

Really comin together well. Always liked that particular scheme since I first saw it in ancient Osprey Vanguard.

Great looking camo. First time I seen it done that way.

Thanks guys.

Weathering is progressing slowly, but have finished fitted the suspension and getting ready to paint the Bronco indi link tracks...







Gary

Almost there. Headlight lenses still to be added along with some tidying up of the weathering...



Gary

Astounding. Very nice.

Great job Gary! The weathering has really brought the three tone camo together.

Great job, Gary! I can only hope mine comes out so well.

Thanks guys.

Am thinking the lower half needs to be weathered more....









Gary

Maybe a tad more, but it does look great as it is

Great build and excellent finish.
Jacob

It's amazing how the original bold strong colours have come together in the finished effect. Which shows that it pays to be bold and brave or the overall effect risks being completely washed-out. Perhaps the running gear could do with a little more dust in the nooks and crannies?

A bit late for this build, but for the benefit of others I finally managed to snag a decent pic of the sprocket wear "hooking".