As promised, I got my finger out! Here's some progress on the -HA:
![](http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/MikeTheModeller/Trumpeter%20M1A1HA/DSCF2028a_zps72d56da3.jpg)
Visible here: The Z-springs have been added -- fiddly, because Trumpeter moulded the center parts of them flush with the non-slip coating. To remove them and do the springs in wire, which is what I've done on the last two M1s I've built, would ruin the nonslip effect, and that's one of the perks in this kit. So I used .020" rod, scraped down to half-round, and used a fine brush to paint the glue on for the four bits. Not perfect but they'll pass muster from a distance.
The headlights have been completed, a part vanished on my bench and I had to raid another kit from my stash for a replacement... Next, the driver's periscope apertures are cleaned up, they'll get parts added from the back. I scratch built the structure on the port flank, which IIRC is something to do with the cabin heater or humidity control, I'd have to look it up. Lastly, I masked the turret ring receiver, as the turret is a very tight fit and the only way it's going to work is bare plastic to bare plastic.
There are a couple of lifting lugs on the transom, right at the top (on the rear plate subassembly) that are poorly represented with just a few bumps, they'll be replaced with wire. As of last night I have some detailing wire on the way for that job, as some unused U-lugs in the Jagdpanther kit I'm doing right now were sadly 1mm too large to fit! With those, and the forward mudflaps masked, it'll be time to put the hull halves into overall NATO Green. I might as well do the turret at the same time -- the forward panels are too firmly attached to pry off and replace with plasticard, and I didn't notice the turret malformation until it was way too late to do anything about it, so it'll fly as is. I'm not complaining, I got this kit for $7 from China!
I'll be getting a gas cylinder exchange in the morning so hopefully I'll have some base-coated assemblies to show you before long.
Cheers, Mike/TB379