Fuel trouble on Kermit's way to Berlin....

Hi everyone.

I have some more woes to add to my woe heavy list on my woeful build of Maquettes T-34/85.

Despite an excellent level of overall detail, I have found that the kits fuel tanks and smoke cannisters are awfulish. They don't fit together well at all, (they consist of 4 parts) and don't seem to look right either. Fixing them up is requiring a lot of filling and sanding, which is demolishing what detail they had.
I wanted to add damage to them, but they still have to look like fuel tanks.

I have had a search around on the net, and found these aftermarket goodies:

These are from Mig Productions



And this is from Aber, it includes both the smoke and fuel canisters, and their mounts.



My other options are to peservere with the kit parts, or scratchbuild new ones.
I generally only like to use AM parts if they are needed, but I feel if I don't get these right the whole model will suffer.

My concerns are, that I have never used PE, and Aber scares me. Could I dent the completed drums to simulate damage? Is this a bit above a PE beginner? I know not many people will have used this particular set, but may made similar pieces. Are Mig Productions good suff? I have used Verlinden resin bits before, and found them easy to clean up, and well detailed. Both AM sets are very similar in price.

I'd love to here any thoughts to help me make a decision onthis, as it is bugging me. Philosophical rants most welcome.

Help a puppet frog defeat the evil fascists.

(Kermit will be in the MG position, out of sight, BTW)