Lee-
From what I can see, it looks like you've got an M4A3/76, which as stated already, the IDF would have called an "M1 Sherman" or just "M1". One thing about the IDF and Shermans, it's hard to say "never", since they scrounged scrapped tanks from all over the place and did lots of mixing and matching to keep units in operation. Admittedly you have something that would have been a rarity, but not impossible.
In regards to your question about detail parts and painting, I'm more of a paint it after assembly guy. Like Roy said, I find it easy to use a piece of paper to mask under tools and such, and I paint my road wheel tires by hand after doing the base coat and washes, before weathering.
I leave road wheels and tracks off to paint.