Andrew Gledhill Author
Update 01. 04.02.24. Hello again. This is a new kit that I started towards the end of January. I have been working on the lower hull, wheels and tracks. The tracks were the link and length type. Which I am not a fan of at all. For this type of tank tracks, the good old rubber band tracks would be just as good looking, and far easier to fit. You build the tracks up by using a jig. You put the idler and sprocket wheels onto the jig. Then you build most of the track sections on the jig. Except the bottom length of track. Once its all dry, you pull it all off the jig. Once the wheels are put onto the lower hull, you then fit the tracks complete with the idler and sprocket wheels. Once they are on, you then glue on the lower length of track. I would say it looks OK, but I am not a fan. As to the painting, I first painted the lower hull with Ammo Mig Colour 0132, Real IDF Sand 73. But, I didn't like the result with this paint. It dried almost gloss. So, in the end I looked at the Tamiya Dark Yellow 2. I found out that the 2 paints look practically the same shade of sandy yellow. So, I decided to switch paint to the Tamiya Dark Yellow. I will be using Tamiya Dark Yellow for the rest of the main colour. Anyway, next I will be working on the upper hull. Enjoy.

Andrew Gledhill Author
Update 2. 05.02.25. I have now moved onto the upper hull. A few small items have been glued on. Lights and drivers view port glass installed. These parts were then masked off with masking fluid. Then the upper hull was given a coat of the main colour. I will go over it again later once any other parts are fitted. Then the upper hull was glued down onto the lower hull. There was a couple of seam joins at the back that needed filling. But it wasn't a problem. I have managed to get the rear crew compartment door to be op-enable, top and bottom. But this may not work because there is a rubber flap to glue onto the top of the upper door. This is a PE part on this kit. I could just leave that off and pretend it had broken off. Or I may be able to find a piece of vinyl to replace the PE part. Next I will be working on the 2 rear hull stowage baskets and the hull side track guards. That's it for now. Enjoy.

Andrew Gledhill Author
Update 03. 08.02.25. I have now finished all of the main hull. The 2 stowage baskets at the back have been painted and installed. Although Takom show these bags as being the same colour as the tank. I reasoned that with them being canvas, they would likely be a Khaki colour. So, that is how I have painted the canvas parts. All the side guards have been fitted. The mud guards have been painted in Rubber Black. I have moved onto the turret now. Most of that is complete and ready to be painted. Tools, Tow cables and Machine Guns will be left off until the turret has been painted. That's it for now. Enjoy.

Andrew Gledhill Author
Update 04. 09.02.25. I have now finished the majority of the turret. There are just 3 machine guns to do. Plus some jerry cans and maybe some stowage items out of the spares box. Tow cables also need doing. Plus some spare track links to go on the turret. Then I can look at putting on some decals before moving on.

Paul Shearer
Nice progress 👍

Andrew Gledhill Author
Update 05. 10.02.25. I have now fully finished the building phase. Everything is on that should be on. I can tell you that the tow cables were a right pain to fit. I should have made up the full length of tow cable before fitting to the turret. But, like a fool, I followed the instructions, by glueing them on in sections. This turned out to be a right chore, Anyway, I got them on in the end. All the machine guns have been built up and fitted. Those were fiddly too. I have placed some stowage items into the turret basket. But they are not glued in at the moment. The duffel bag and bed rolls come from a Tamiya Modern US Army Equipment set. Jerry cans are from the kit. I have also toned down the paintwork by going over it all with a light coat of Tamiya Dark Yellow 2. Next will be a Gloss Coat ready for the decals. That's it for now. Enjoy.

Andrew Gledhill Author
Update 06. 12.02.25. OK, I have done a gloss coat. Then applied the decals, and sealed them in with more gloss coat. Then I have applied a covering of Sand Florymodels Clay Wash all over. Once dry, this was rubbed off with some dampened cotton buds. This leaves a sand residue in the panel lines etc. After that, I have applied a Matt Coat. It might need a further matt coat to tone it down more. Then it will be onto applying some pigments. I haven't weathered the stowage items yet. Nor are they glued in place. That's it for now. Enjoy.

Andrew Gledhill Author
Update 07. 18.02.25. Well, I think its time to call this one complete. That is the 4th kit I have finished this year, and its only February lol. You can tell that I haven't been getting much work as a agency HGV driver. I have painted all the stowage items, and fitted them to the turret basket. We have a kit bag and 3 bed rolls from a Tamiya Modern US Army Equipment set. Water and fuel jerry cans are from the kit. Then I have rubbed on some sand pigment from a Tamiya weathering set. After that, I painted on in places some enamel thinners. Then dabbed on more of the sand pigment. Once this had dried, it makes the sand pigment stick to the model in small clumps. Then I have sealed that in with another matt coat. It was finished off with a couple of stretched sprue aerials, painted Black. So, that's another one done. Pretty half decent kit. Tracks could have been better, but they look just fine. Onwards to the next one. Enjoy.

Andrew Gledhill Author
PS got the year wrong in the date on my first comment and it won't let me edit it now.

Paul Shearer
Great results. 👌

Desert Marlin
Excellent outcome!!!

Andrew Gledhill Author
Thanks for the positive comments guys. Much appreciated.