M1A1 Bad Blessing

I have been working on this project for a while, but just haven't had time to post about it.  I am building an M1A1 named "Bad Blessing" from B Co, 1-35 AR, 1 AD seen in Iraq in July of '08.  I am using the below pics (among others), from the Tankograd TUSK book (I think thats where they were from) as references.

I started with the Tamiya M1A1/A2 kit and added anti-slip coating using the Rust-Oleum Terra Cotta spray technique that I showed here a while ago.

I also used as many left-over parts from my last Dragon M1A2 SEP project (grey parts) as possible to raise the level of detail a bit.  I added wire springs for the front fenders too.  I also scratched the shields around the TC and the loader with 0.30 sheet styrene.  I found some "Z"-shaped rod from Plastruct that worked perfectly for the frames around the armored windows.  A bit of expanded PE mesh for the one shield between the TC and loader finished them off. 

For the rest of the TUSK parts, I used the excellent Legend TUSK I set.

Here it is with the TUSK parts propped in place prior to painting.

Next I applied the camo paint to the tank and the sand paint to the TUSK parts separately, then joined them after painting.  I detail painted the TUSK parts and hull before combining them and adding weathering.  I used Testors Model Master enamels for the base coats and acrylics for the weathering.

Here is the finished project.

More pics here.

As always, all comments and critiques are welcomed.