my first tank model

i was rummaging through my basement the other day and found a model kit i had forgotten about. it's a Dragon 1/35 T-72M2 i bought for $8 at a yard sale a few years ago. are these fairly good kits, detail and ease of assembly wise?.it was still in the shrink wrap and i opened it when i first got but now the instructions are lost in this mess of a basement. all the parts are there so once i fnd the paperwork i'll start. i'm going to take my time on this and maybe use it for a diorama if it comes out good. what colours would i paint it if i wanted it to represent one that the soviets used in afghanistan?? maybe if some one could provide me with a link to some sites i can get an idea of how i'm going to paint it.