Hello folks,
So after finishing the Carro I decided to pull an aircraft kit out of my stash and build it. But about half way through I simply lost heart and and interest in it. It has become a recurring theme in which I get excited to start building a wing thing and ejoy building the cockpit, but when it comes to closing up the fuselage my interest drops to zero. So I shelved yet another airplane and decided to go back to what has become my obsession, armor. I had bought this kit a week ago after browsing through the Local Hobby Shop's small but acceptable collection of armor kits. After some hemming and hawing I decided the Pershing is what was tickling my fancy the most. So I took it home and spent the week sifting through it more and more, and building the airplane less and less. 
My plans for this build are to push things a bit farther. It seems that what I was considering light weathering was really the bare minimum for most. I don't like trashed looking vehicles, but admit there is a new level I could be taking my builds within my desired tastes. So I dug out all the publications I have, scoured the internet and will take suggestions through the course of the build to take the weathering to the next level. I also found a couple decent online visual refrences to work with and help things further. So onto the build:
The kit:
It is the 2 in 1 kit, allowing you to build either a T26E3 or M26A1. I will be building it into the M26A1 with decals either for an Army vehicle at Chosin Res. or a Marine vehicle (also Korean war.) It also comes with 4 figures, an American anti-tank team. I won't be using them for this build, but they should provide some nice painting practice later on.
Since I have a couple other small projects going on I got a late start on this build today, so not much to show so far. I skipped half of step one (wheels and drive sprockets) and just built the sprockets. I also did all of step 2, the rear hull plate:
As you can see the plate came in thre major parts, the middle and two sides. I looked at reference pics and found that a seam, which did not really look welded but more as if the 3 parts had been melted together (best I can describe it). But the seam did not extend all the way to the bottom. So I added some strtched sprue to replicate the weld (?) seam and used Mr. Dissolved putty to eliminate the bottom seams.
That is if for now. Until next week....
Brian