Great advice from the Major!
If you look at my M-41, you can see that the crew has taken the driver's vision blocks out for a quick cleaning (at least that's what I tell everyone!
).
A quick note about Skybow: I talked to the president of AFV Club at the Shizuoka Hobby Show last May, and at that time they were working with Skybow to distribute products like the aforementioned mantlet cover, but they were not taking over Skybow's molds or absorbing Skybow in any way. In fact, Skybow appears to be alive and well as far as distribution goes here in Japan, with kits all over the place.
It's hard to get the true picture of the Hong Kong / Taiwan / China model manufacturer situation, but as far as AFV Club and Skybow goes, I think that's how it stands right now.
Back to what Major Rob said, I always thought US armor in the 50's and 60's looked to be a much darker color than the OD I see offered by the major manufacturers. Adding some black sounds like a good idea!
By the way, I ain't famous!
Yet...