I got out some styrene hex rod and added a few bolts. The upper hull gets its first coats of paint starting with black green and then two shades of OD.
Ok last night I worked on some of the details one of which was the grating that protects the exhaust. The kit part is just a solid hunk of plastic. The Mk1 PE set provides one, but all that bending and tiny parts. I wasn't sure I could do it, but guess what it wasn't as hard as I thought. Looks good when done.
Next I painted the the tools and finished the fron fenders.
Last I tightened up the track. They probably don't need that much sag, but I think it gives the tank a little style.
I have done two things tonight. The tow cable and a board. A board you ask. Most Sherman crews mounted a board between the fender braces on the transmission cover to stow items like spare road wheels and the like. To replicate this feature I used a piece of strip styrene. I drilled holes in each end to simulate nail/bolt holes in the board. I also make a notch in the board to allow it to fit around the tow cable bracket. I painted the board desert yellow then with red brown I made the wood grain.
I then gave the board a wash of raw umber.
I made the tow cable out of the string provided with the kit. It was painted with Model Master Gun Metal and then a pigment wash rust. The tow ends are painted flat aluminum.
I did a little more pigment work to the running gear as well.