BRITISH ARMYMEDIUMTANK1 35 MILITARY MINIATURE

MS GRANT MklSERIES

TAMIYA.TAMIYA PLASTIC MODEL CO.3-70NDAWARA,SmZUOKA-CITYJAWN.

By courtesy of Yukio Sanrr.i

At 7.30 a.m. cm 27th May, 1942, the 4thArmoured Division under the command of

Brigadier General A.H. Gatehouse and con-sisting of the 8th Light Cavalry Regiment,the 3rd Tank Regiment and the 5th TankRegiment in the British 7th Armoured

Division advanced to a point about 10 kmsoutheast of Bir El Harm a on the German15th Panzer Division's route of advance tothe rear of the British Gazala defence lineand started a tank-to-tank fighting withthe 1st Battalion of the 8th Tank Regimentsent forward by the German 15th PanzerDivision.British tanks of the 8th Light Cavalry Regi-ment gave direct hits to German Pzkpfw Hitanks equipped with a 50mm tank gun thatwere advancing in wedge formation. TheBritish tanks were firing from out of theGerman tanks'range. The German 15th PanzerDivision had never been attacked in such away in the North African theatre. Germantank commanders rubbed their eyes in sur-prise and looked to the front through theirfield glasses. They saw unfamiliar tanks ofhigh silhouette with their camouflage netsremoved firing at them. These were M3Medium General Grant Mk I tanks armed witha 75mm tank gun M2 (31 calibres long) thatshowed themselves for the first time at theBattle of Gazala.It was not easy for the Pzkpfw III with a 50mm tank gun 39 (42 calibres long) or the

Pzkpfw IV

Pzkpfw W series with a short-barrelled 75mmtank gun 36 (24 calibres long) then used bythe German Afrika Korps in the North Afri-can theatre to defeat the British new tank.Through the effective use of the Grant Mk 1 's75mm gun M2. the 8th Light Cavalry Regi-ment in the British 4th Armoured Brigadefired away at the fire support positions ofthe German 33rd Mechanized Artillery Regi-ment, the 15th Panzer Division to separatethem from their tank forces and inflictedserious damage on the main tanks of the 1stBattalion in the German 8th Tank Regiment.In addition, the 1st Battalion was brought tothe brink of annihilation by the British 3rdTank Regiment's participation in the battle.Owing to the activity of the German 2ndBattalion, however, the British 8th LightCavalry Regiment was beaten and the 3rdTank Regiment was forced to abandon its16 Grant Mk I tanks in the battlefield. Thiswas the first round of the Battle of Gazala.The tank-to-tank fighting in the Battle ofGazala was called "Battle of Night Bridge",where fierce fighting continued for about 22days between the British forces consisting ofthe 2nd, 4th and 22nd Armoured Brigades andthe German forces including the 8th TankRegiment in the 15th Panzer Division and the5th Tank Regiment in the 21st Panzer Division.At first the German Afrika Korps was con-siderably damaged by the attack of the GrantMk I , but in the end it overwhelmed theBritish armoured forces. This was becausethe Germans were well experienced andeffectively used the famous 88mm antiaircraftgun while the British commanders had noexperience in mobile warfare and their menwere not well trained. The British forceslost Tobruk and their Gazala defence line wasbroken through. Thus the British withdrewto the 8th Army's El Alamain defence line in

Egypt. General Erwin Rommel said in thebattle, "I have underestimated the fightingpower of the British armoured force . In theattack on the British Gazala defence line, ourfighting capacity has been considerably reducedby the appearance of the powerful new weap-on. Grant medium tank. All of us are nowforced to fight desperately against the over-powering enemy. I am afraid fighting in futurewill be no easy matter for us". As in seenfrom his statement, the British armouredforces would have won the tank-to-tankfighting of the Night Bridge if they had usedtheir Grant Mk I medium tanks concentrically.Bir th of the Grant Mk ITo add armoured troops to the Expeditionary"Arrny in France under Earl Lord Gort. FullGeneral, the British Army sent D.A. Tratt's1st Tank Brigade (the 4th and 7th TankRegiments) under the direct command of theExpeditionary Army and Major General R.Evans's 1st Armoured Division (the 2nd and3rd Armoured Brigades) to the French frontin June 1940. However, they were defeatedby the overpowering German tank troops andwithdrew through Dunkerque and Cherbourgto England with their tanks left in France.With the expansion of World War II, theBritish Army had to reinforce its armouredtroops and make up for the loss of tanks inFrance. The British Army sent a TankMission to America to obtain American tanks.Learning lessons from the European war, theAmericans started in those days to reorganizethe Army and form new armoured units. TheU.S. Army Arsenals entrusted private manu-facturers with the task of producing light andmedium tanks for the new armoured units,thus the production setup of tanks beingestablished. Under the National MunitionsProgram, William S. Knudsen, President ofGeneral Motors, became a member of the

0674 1/35 MM

National Defence Advisory Commission formedfor controlling defence industries, and Ameri-can heavy industries were mobilized intoproduction. Light tanks were in charge ofAmerican Car & Foundry. Medium tanks werein charge of Chrysler's Detroit Arsenal, A-

M2AI

merican Locomotive Co. and Baldwin Loco-motive Co.

M3 Light Tank

According to the original National MunitionsProgram, the M2A4 light tank and the M2A1medium tank were to be manufactured, but

the Program was changed thereafter and theM3 medium and light tanks with more power-ful armament were to be produced instead.Members of the British Tank Mission thenin America unofficially joined the U.S. ArmyArmor Commission conferences on the develop-ment of tanks, particularly on the design anddevelopment of the M3 medium tank, andsubmitted detailed proposals regarding im-provements in tanks based on lessons learnedfrom the European war.In October 1940, the British Tank Missionplaced orders for medium tanks with BaldwinLocomotive Co., which had previously receivedcontract from the British Army for tanks,Lima Locomotive Works, Pressed Steel CarCo. and Pullman-Standard Car Co. under thecondition that they should deliver the Tanksby the end of December 1941 to British ar-moured troops which lost about 2/3 of theirtanks in France. The British Tank Missionrequired that the medium tank should be thesame as the pilot model of the M3 mediumtank trial-manufactured by Chrysler's DetroitArsenal on 11th April 1941 except that itsturret should be replaced by a larger castrevolving turret with commander's hatchdesigned in Britain.While the MS medium tank of Americandesign which had a cast revolving turret witha 37 mm tank gun M5 was called "GeneralLee Mk I " after General Robert Edward Lee,the medium tank with a 75 mm tank gun M2produced by the four manufacturers wasnicknamed"General Grant Mk I " after GeneralUlysses Simpson Grant —He was commanderin chief af the Federal army in the Civil Warand obtained the victory. Later he became18th president of the United States. Earlyin 1942. a total of 242 General Grant Mk Itanks were supplied to the British forces inthe Middle East and 167 of them were usedby armoured troops in the Gazala area. Theywere depended upon and called "The LastHope in Egypt" by officers and men of thearmoured troops.The body of the Grant Mk I was of rivetedconstruction. A 75 mm tank gun M2 (31calibres long) was mounted on the limitedtraverse mount Ml of the right sponson. Onthe left offset part of the body was a largecast revolving turret for a 37 mm tank gunM5. Unlike the Lee Mk I . the Grant Mk 1

had no machine-gun turret on the revolvingturret for the 37 mm gun. The secondaryarmament consisted of three calibre 0.30 (7.62mm) Brow-ing M1919A4 machine guns on thefront mount and the combination mount.The number of crew was six. The Grant Mk Iused a Wright Whirlwind R-975-EC2 9-cylinderair-cooled radial gasoline engine offering 400hp and a synchromesh-type transmission forf ive forward and one reverse speeds. Also,the Grant Mk I employed, l ike the Lee Mk 1 ,tracks of surface-glossier rubber and vertical

M3A5 Grant Mk

volute spring suspension systemThe M3A5 medium tank with three turrets ofthe American type manufactured by Baldwinwas named General Grant M k n . This typehad smoke dischargers on the sides of therevolving turret and was used mainly inBurma in 1945.

'(Main Specifications)Hull length : 5.639 m Overall width : 2.67Om

Overall height : 3. I 24 m

Weight (equipped) : 28.233t (empty):27.O I 7t

Armament:

One 75 mm tank gun M2 (3 I calibres)

One 37mm tank gun M5 (53.5 calibres)

Three Browing M I 9 I 9A4 machine guns

Engine : Wright Whirlwind R-975-EC2 radial

air-cooled (gasoline)

Maximum output : 4OO HP/2,4OO rpm

Maximum speed : 35 km/h

Maximum grade ability : 36.5"

Crusing range : 192 to 234km

Ammunition, stowage: 75 mm 4 I rounds

37 mm t 79 rounds

7.62 mm 8,OOO rounds

Number of Crew : 6

PAINTING

APPLYING DECALSPainting of the M3 Grant-

Not only the M3 Grant but also othermilitary vehicles carried a respectivecamouflage painting which makes the ve-hicle simulate to the colour of the terrain.So while the vehicles belonged to theBritish Army at home and in Europe weregenerally applied a single dark greencolour, in the African desert, the tanksand military vehicles were usually paintedin dark yellow as a main colour, and someof them were applied the camouflagescheme consisting of dark green, flatwhite, olive drab, and/ or red brown inneed. Each colour should have a broadpainting area and a distinctive border line,which may be noted in the camouflagepattern of the British tanks. They rarelyused a shading-off border or dottingpattern.In order to enjoy painting of your M3Grant model, follow instructions shown inthe right diagram. Select one scheme youprefer.^Paint to be used)Use paint only for styrene plastic. Itwould make your job easier to use spray-gun when you paint the wide areas. Usea brush to paint narrower parts.Flat BlackKhakiMetallic GreyDark YellowRed BrownFlesh

Marking of M3 Grant)The markings provided to the British Armyvehicles consist of the markings for bri-gade and squadron, the tactical mark, thesquadron sign, and the vehicle registerednumber. In addition to this a small numberof vehicles carried their nicknames,Apply markings as shown in the right

figure.

Explanation of MarkingsMarking of the 7th ArmouredDivision.Known as the famous "desertrat , the vehicles with this markshowed wide activi ty on the Af-rican Front.Marking of the 8th ArmouredBrigade. Utilized the fox markof the I Oth Armoured Division,they showed activity in the west-ern Desert and in Tunisia.Marking of the 22nd ArmouredBrigade. Participated in the Tu-nisian theatre of operation.

A l~~l Tactical mark. This mark standsn I for a regiment.

The squadron sign and the numerals in-Side show the company and a vehiclenumber, and also the vehicle number meansa platoon.

(Markings at the Battle of E I Alamein) 7th Division

Q}Dark Yellow

Squadron sign

AOd. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Select one and apply tothe center.Apply also to opposite

Also to opposite side. T 25027 -In case of 8th Brigade

In case of 8th Brigade

Markings at the Battle of Gazala) 22nd Brigade

> Dark Yellow

Squadron sign

AODa l 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Select one ana apply tothe center.Apply also to oppositeside.

ERST LESEN-DANN BAUEN

the instructions and photographsbefore commencing assembly.*You will need a sharp knife, a screw-driver, a pair of tweezers, a file, and apair of pliers.•^-Before finally cementing each part to-gether, be sure that parts fit correctlytogether. And that you are of the nextsequence to be followed*Use glue sparingly. Use only enoughto make a good bond. Apply cement toboth parts to be joined.*Painting Your ModelAs well as improving the reality of yourcompteted model, painting will give yougreater satisfaction to make your ownmodel. Moreover, paint coat ensures agood application of decals.•*-Small parts and internal parts should bepainted while still on the sprue.

This mark shows a recommendedcolour name.

O Construction of Wheels?Assemble six(6) pairs of Suspensions.Parts C1 & C7 should revolve freely.Put them between parts C9 & CIO. Applycement only to the tip of shafts.Make two (2) pairs of Drive Sprocket &Idler Wheels respectively. Parts C4 & C5forms a part of revolving shafts. Do notplace cement onto them.

©Construction of Rear Panel.Parts A6 & A7 are similar in shape. Seethe figure and assemble with care. Itmakes the job easier to assemble partsA5, AH, & A19 first.

s. Construction of Fender.Lights BI7 & BIS took alike. Make sureof their numbers, and assemble.

0{ Construction of 75mm GunPart B24 is a stopper of part B32. Usesufficient cement to make a strong bond.

©{Construction of Lower Hull^Suspension, Drive Sprocket & Idler Wheelsshould be fixed same parts to right andleft. And Idler Wheels and Drive Sprocketshould revolve. Apply only a small amountof cement to the tips of the shafts moldedon Lower Hull and cement. Do not placecement on Wheels.Fix Rear Panel to Lower Hull pusing fromupside with both walls stretched a littleright and left.

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\Drive Sprocket)Make 2 sets.

Flat BlackC1Revolve

Construction of Rear Panel

CIO C2 \{OJ(Construction of Fenders)

—B7

B16

A20

Construction of 75 mm Gun Construction of Hull Fron

B23

Construction of Lower Hull

@ Construction of Upper Hull I)Make sure of each part number and ce-ment. When you cement 75mm Gun, firstcement B19 to Upper Hull to keep Gun inposition, and then fix Right Fender using

Construction of Upper Hull ( I)

(Construction of Figure)Figure included in this kit can be fixed intwo position, either sitting on the cupolaor mounting on the turret. Select one oftwo you prefer. When mounting on turret,cement Base A35 to the figure upside andto A34 at the stage of 0

<ln case of sitting figure on the cupola

Flat Bl

(In case of placing figure on the turret,

A38

A35

*Do not cementA35 here.

(Construction of Tracks

Pass pinsthrough holesand heat-fixboth ends.

strengthenthe joint,connect witha thread.

*75mm Gun is moveable. Keepin place with B19.^Cement Right Fender after fix-ing 75mm Gun and B19/ Applycement only to Hull.

75 mm Gun

Fixing Rear Parts

Upper Hull

B9

[j^ Construction of Upper Hull (2)

B8 B12

B2

B40

© Construction of Turret>

Part A26 is moveable. Keep in position

Dy cementing parts A31 & A32 to part A25.

When you fix Cupola A15 & AI6 to partA33, make sure that no cement touchesA16.

Part A35 is a base for a figure. Placeonly upper half of the figure.And Hatches AID & All should be fixed

n an open position in case you mount the

figure on Turret.

How to make antenna)

^Shave this way.

*Heat one of runner gradually turningaround with a hand. When the centeroortion began to melt, stop heating andstretch both ends of the runner slowlyto the thinness wanted. Hold it in thatposition for about 15 seconds to cool,cut it by 8cm length.*Caution: Be careful in handling fire.

Parts B3 & B4 are unnecessary.

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A32

'*• Construction of Gun

A26 Gun Shield Moveable \7

* Allow A16 to rotate.Keep this in positionwith AI5.

A15

A3I A25

*A35 is a base for a figureWhen you use this base, ce-ment only upper half of thefigure to this.

A34

A 2

Gun

A41

A33

*Hatch Halves AID & All canbe fixed in either open or closedposition. Glue in open positionin case you place figure here.

*Cement Upper & Lower Hulltogether.^"Insent Turret in the positionshown, and turn.

9] Completion of M3 Grant

0892 PRINTED IN PHILIPPINES