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Please ignore the last post! Something finally clicked. I have only to decide how to display the structure - which is making my head go funny!

I am struggling to finish this one off. I have the thematic shape left after the first and second deletions, but cannot see how to leave the n thematic shapes by carrying out the third deletion. I also have the three thematic names. Are the n identical shapes the same as the one left after the first two deletions, but smaller? How do they "interlock"? I have tried looking for the the defined words without success. I gather from this thread that HOE is one of them and I assume that ERS is another, but I haven't got the third yet. Help would be appreciated.

For the 3rd deletion

Find cells numbered 15 and 16.
The 3 small triangles between them need deleting as well as 1 in the row above, 5 in the row below and 7 in the row below that.
See if that moves you on a bit.

HOE and ERS are correct but they aren't much use until the shape of the interlocking figures becomes clear

Opt0 - if you have the thematic names I presume you have found what shape you are trying to depict. It’s just one of them rather than three

Many thanks Tatters and Candledave. I now have the shape. I had misinterpreted the preamble and was mistakenly trying to make the deletion of 16 and leave three smaller, but similar shapes. I now presume that the overall shape has to comprise three identical components, indicated by HOE, ERS and possibly UVA (?) for the grape, but I cannot see it. I imagine that the shapes will be bars or V`s, the latter seeming the more likely from Smithsax`s post at #125. In the "corners" of my grid I have the letters VHA, OSS and RUR which do not help. I am beginning to wonder whether I have entered all the answers correctly, but the grid seems to work and the three names all appear at the perimeter, so I will be a little surprised if I have got it wrong. Another nudge would be greatly appreciated.

0pt0, I'd describe the three interlocking shapes as slanting or italicised L shapes. They are identical in size but have different orientations. You're right about the grape.

Thanks Loge, but I must be very thick because I still cannot see the shapes. In the corners of my grid I have the letters H, S and U which I am assuming to be one letter from each of the defined words. That would leave OE, ER and VA to be found. The V should be the easiest to locate as there are (I think) only two candidates: one at the top of the grid and one on the bottom row. The one on the bottom row seems more likely to be the right one, but when I make italicised L shapes on that basis I get un-usable letters at the extremities of the shapes. I really enjoyed the original grid-fill for this puzzle, but the end-game is driving me up the wall! Another hint please.

Take your U in the bottom left and shade up thru R and N until you hit the V - then continue shading down the right side off the empty triangle up to and including LA.

Next, change colour and start with the H in cell 1 - take in the O next to cell 30 and sweep across to the E next to cell 25

That leaves one shape to find - good luck!!!

ERS is in the cell to right of 7, cell to left of 32, final S of bottom row (bottom right hand corner.

UVA is in cell to left of 31, cell to left of cell 1, cell above 29

HOE is in cell1, cell to left of 30 (o), cell between 24 & 25.

They are at the apexes of 3 V shapes with one arm longer than the other. If you shade U to V, then V to A in one colour, then E to R, then R to S in another colour, then H to E via O in another colour, you'll get the "Impossible triangle" poularised by PENROSE (in the HOE shape), ESCHER (in the ERS shape) and REUTERSVARD (in the UVA shape)

I’m still not seeing it, Turast. Could you possibly make the hint a little clearer?