Hi guys! Managed to make some progress on this. Tracks arrived at last, and all my DDay entries are done.
So where to start?
Mixed some VMA hull red and dark brown to get a primer kind of color
NOTE! - before you start sticking red hot pokers in your eyes, and screaming 'WTF Chief?!'. I'll be doing this in a winter white wash. To that end I haven't been too careful with the painting, it's only there to have some showing through later. Hope that makes sense, lol!
After a coat of klear, I sprayed some AK worn effect, then a base of dark yellow with red and green cam. After that had dried a little, I used various brushes, tooth picks and the like to chip the paint.
Not sure if I put too much worn effects on, or if the paint needed to dry a little more, but as you can see, it started to peel off, rather than chip off. Not to worry, white wash is still to come! Lol.
Got the wheels and tracks assembled
Sprayed some card black to put under the grills on the rear deck.
On joining upper and lower hulls, I found two quite large gaps that would need filling. I glued some strips of plasticard in to the holes. Once dried they can be trimmed and sanded down.
These two tow bars are stowed on the engine deck, but i want to show it pulling a vehicle. After a bit of fiddling I managed to get them fitted and workable.
Now for the fun bit!
As you can see, the crane is made to be built with the boom sticking out over the left side. I doubt this would be the position when towing vehicles, so a bit of adjustment is required.
Also, the kit part was broken, and had solid chain links.
I started be 'dis assembling' the crane.
Then I drilled holes in the ends of the parts to accept small brass rods. These would act as locating pins for reassembly. I also replaced the plastic chain with a metal one.
Here it is reassembled, with the boom swung into line with the hull.
I didn't want the hook just swinging in the air either, so I made some 'rope' to attach between hook and crane. I'll tidy it up a bit later.
So this is where I'm at right now, main assy completed, (tools and what not will be added later) klear coat on ready for decals.
Busy weekend coming up, and the WW1 GB is starting
so might get some more done, might not, lol!
Thanks for looking guys, happy building!
its all 
practice, practice, practice, I suppose! 
great work chief
