Worked on the cables under the front plate. Replaced 2 sections with .7mm wire on each end.
While starting to fit the shrouded main light and the side lights, I found another area that gecko missed the ball a bit …the side lights are offered as just one solid unit, and you are just meant to paint the lens white. 2 clear parts would have been so easy to include ?? Anyway … I hollowed out the front after cutting the curve away to flatten them, and found some spare clear parts that will fit (from an M1 clear sprue)
I was in a quandary about the colour of the cushion leather on this. Looking at online reference pics, they are all modern refurbs, with new covers which range from various shades of green to blue and black and brown…
In the end, I opted for brown and went with Tamiya NATO Brown…. It looks ok to me and I will dry brush a lighter shade over it to highlight areas and with the paint on, the textures I added to the cushions look quite nice as well.
At the end, it will also get a dark wash .
Shrouded Headlight and sidelight with new lens fitted
Few more things done to move it forward… started on the wheel stations and have completed one. Need to sand around the wheel axles as I forgot to mask them so they were a bit tight ….
Also have noe secured the upper front plate, added the 2 front fire extinguishers and the vehicle mortar mount, but not fitted the tube as previously mentioned….also fitted the the LH hull side plate and painted the lower hull sides.
She is looking very good. 
Thanks as always Ryan, appreciated mate.
Looks awesome. Did you make the wheel boogies workable?
Thanks Ian, and no, I didnt make them workable as there was no need to on this build. Once finished, its going in to a case on a basic base, so will never be getting handled from then on. However, if anyone wanted to make them workable, it would be pretty easy to do as internal workings would be hidden in the depths of the carrier inside the rear area.
Some great progress John, this is a truly amazing and inspirational build, the level of additional detail is outstanding,
.
G,
Cheers G…. Glad you’re enjoying the build of your favourite little tracked vehicle….. I have finished the wheel stations andd they are all together with a bit of sprue glue added to a couple of points which needs sanding flush then repainting …
Have made a start on the personal weapon painting and also getting the radio installed and wired up.
The parts ….
You can also see some weapons and the shovel in the process of painting…..
And the radio with fitted guard on the front with the correct amount of bars.
Radio is now secured and have begun the process of measuring and bending the various cables to get a good fit.
The 2 main pier cables (thick black) are fitted from radio to behind it and up to crew box. The brass wire is a basic layout of how that coax will go from radio up to the LH antenna.
And the power cables …..
There will be at least another 3 cables to add to all this
Got the first coax fitted to the front bulkhead and also made 2 small fixings mounts for it.
The cable.
They will all need touch painting again as some of the black rubbed off while bending to the final shapes needed.
A few more bits done, not as much as I wanted, but some forward movement on it …
Got the RH hull wall fitted and the rear LH ABA along with a coax lead going up to it.
Will get a bit done later today.
Wow! … John the Cable Guy 
haha …. cheers Mike
A few bits and pieces done … mainly getting the wheel stations on….. a bit of a faff …..
And an overview for the inside …
Biggest faff was the locators for the wheel stations… they are very shallow and when connected, it allows for some movement unless the whole thing is held firmly or safely until set …. In hindsight, I would have drilled these out and used a bit of brass rod for extra strength… but they are all on ok now. Rach wheel stations will get another over spray of SCC when the time comes… tyres have been started with the AK marker pen rubber black …
Progress is outstanding John. That interior detailing that you added is incredible. All the cables, rods, lines, and lights, phenomenal. You’re really going all out on this one; it is a pleasure to follow along.
I love your attention to detail, -the workaround where the kit details are a bit weak, -like the protective bars in front of the radio is impressive. I will look forward to follow your updates.
Thanks Matt & Ingvar @Ingvar_Sylegard …. appreciated …. Most of the major added detail is done now and we are into the final stages …… biggest thing to do now is the 2nd run of tracks ….
