I built this 1/35 Canadian Grizzly Mk I for the Shermania 2026 group build and kept a build log in the group build thread. The model represents a training tank at Camp Meaford in the summer of 1944. I thought I’d share the finished photos here as well.
I started with Asuka’s “Lucky Tiger” M4A1 and used Formations’ Canadian VVSS suspension and Friulmodel Canadian Dry Pin tracks and sprockets. The wheels, gun, mantlet, cupola and three-piece transmission cover are from Panzer Art.
I scratchbuilt the greatcoat rack behind the turret and added T-Rex guards and 3D-printed British fire extinguishers. Above & Below Scale Graphics supplied the markings, and the commander is from Ultracast.
Thanks to everyone who followed the build. Comments and critiques are welcome!
Yes, I’ve spoken to a few Canadian armour historians, and their view is that Grizzlies would have left the factory in SCC.2 brown, as used on Ram tanks during that period. Canada’s wartime Design Record describes the change from Khaki Green No.3 to Brown No.2, followed later by U.S. Olive Drab, which supports that interpretation.
Grizzlies were built in 1943, before SCC.15 was introduced in April 1944. With most serving as training tanks in Canada, retaining their original brown finish is a reasonable interpretation, although I haven’t found an order ruling out repainting altogether. Barry Beldam, who researched Canadian vehicle colours and markings, also depicted the Grizzly in SCC.2 in his colour profile, which was another reference behind my choice.
Thank you @Evan I have been enjoying adding colour to my finished collection.
@metalhead85 Richard, thank you for your kind words. I used the Original AK Real Colours S.C.C. 2 in the pots as opposed to the dropper bottle. I lightened it with Mr Colour Sail for the highlights.
After the Sherman replaced the Ram and it was clear the US could meet Sherman production demand, Canada shifted production towards the Sexton SPG. These used Ram and later Grizzly-based chassis.
The Canadian VVSS units used on the Sexton were beefed up with stiffer springs and heavier castings to improve stability when firing the 25-pounder gun. You can see the difference below. On the left is a US VVSS bogie and on the right is a Canadian one with more prominent reinforcing ribs.
The is some debate as to the use of the beefed up suspension being used on Grizzly. Most claim it was used post war as the US supplied VVSS was replaced with surplus Canadian units, however there are multiple period images showing both being used. One of the sister tanks to mine at Camp Meaford with the updated suspension in a photo dated 1944. You can clearly see the prominent ribs of the Canadian VVSS unit and CDP tracks
And below we have a post war unit still with the original suspension, this one belonged to the Governor Generals Horse Guard and the photo is dated 1947.
Thanks for the info on SCC2 for Grizzlies. As MLW were a subsidiary of ALCO and most of the parts came from the ALCO supply chain I wondered if OD had become the default. I am always intrigued by the Canadian adoption of SCC2. This was an enforced choice in the UK but not necessarily in Canada, with direct access to US suppliers. I have a copy of a letter from ICI Paints in the UK from August 1943 where US Olive Drab is described as being ‘rather similar’ to Khaki Green. And a green was definitely preferable to a brown. Which begs the question why, assuming supplies were available, Canada did not just switch to OD from Khaki Green. Even more intriguingly, we know that Grant tanks were finished in Khaki Green, not OD (although there is still a question over BLW as they were making both Grants and Lees). So it seems that Khaki Green could be made in the USA. Even stranger, we had over half a million gallons of US OD made in the UK in late 1943.
As for the tracks and bogies, it is true that no Grizzlies left the factory fitted with them. So those WW2 pictures will be replacements. But because they are commonly seen on Grizzlies post-war it has simply become assumed that they were a post-war thing. They were a retrofit thing.
@Blacksheep Peter, thanks for the info. I can see why OD would make sense given the ALCO connection and proximity to the US. I wonder whether sticking with British specifications was partly about maintaining Canada’s Commonwealth ties and keeping some distance from the US. From reading Canadian Historian Tim Cook’s works, my understanding is that the Canadian government was walking a fine line between its ties to Britain and its growing relationship with the US at the time. Maybe that played a part in it. The experts are however adamant that the Grizzlies would have left the factory in SCC2 and repainting would only have happened overseas or post war.
That makes sense about the bogies. It does seem that the retrofitting of the heavy duty bogies occurred as they became available and as tanks required new suspensions. There is more then enough evidence to support the use of either style of bogie.
The CDP type tracks were to be a fleet wide modification starting in Jan/Feb 1944 for the Grizzly’s at the RCAC school at Camp Borden. But, there photos post war showing Grizzly’s without CDP tracks as well used by the Canadian reserve (militia) units , photo for reference showing two Grizzlies of the King’s Own Calgary Regiment on parade in Calgary during the visit of the Governor General of Canada in 1946
