I saw that too. I hope it's not going to be an issue, I would be very disappointed. I usually don't follow directions anyway, I use photos that I print out of each section I am doing. Some parts need instructions like the Ontos road wheels, that was crazy. That's why I put that one away for another time, the turret looked like a nightmare.
The great thing about doing Vietnam modeling is that they very rarely had their vehicles the same as the way the Army/Marines/whatever wanted them. The one I drove in Germany had nothing over the rear compartment. I only drove it once on post, what a dog. The GOERs I see from NAM didn't have the tops on and were in the MUD.
So I'll look at pictures from Nam and see what I can do. The way things are going I don't think the dollar will ever get in better shape compared to the Euro, if it stays the same I would be happy. I remember I was getting 4 marks to the dollar when I was there and 3 when I left in 1982 or so. Everybody had to move back on post.
If I am not happy with the kits he will know very quickly but I'm not that picky especially about a vehicle that will be in diorama and probably covered in red mud. I'll probably use both in some sort of REMF dio, with the gear in the rear thing......LOL. Vietnam was so muddy and dirty to me it's about the artistic aspect over correctness. Yes I would rather have every detail 100% correct but I am way more into making an artistic statement. If it were about making something like the M108 for an Army unit I would want it to be correct and museum quality. But I'm more into action dioramas, taking a time in a sort of snapshot and making it look like that. A picture, taking a picture and making it come alive in a diorama that's what it's about for me, not just the model. That's why I am disappointed with the German M55's lack of interior, all the Vietnam pix I see were Marines ready for a fire mission. The Marines used the M55 and M53 for a short time in Nam.
I think if I were going to do a museum piece I would have gotten the German models and the extra few bucks so be it. If I need some help with the goat I will let you know. I love what you did with it as with all your work.