I have pretty much zero reference on this hulking bit of metal. So some questions from the experts here might pop up. I am pretty much limited to the AP publication (about six pages) and PS amazing work in TMMI as references.
I did not have a specific vehicle in mind when I began this project. I just knew I didn't want to tackle zimm with her. Looking at the AP title there seems to be an early and late version but these are listed as the 20th and 82nd production vehicles respectively. I'm a little confused as to when exactly the late started. Is it with the 82nd vehicle....or somewhere in between.
The differences listed in AP between the two seem nominal, but not unnoticeable. The biggest hitters are: a redesigned gun cradle, pilzen surrounding the superstructure top, different bump stops around the engine access panel, the track tension cable is moved, the AA base is in a different position, some additional grab handles above the rear hatch and on the drivers and radio operators hatches, etc.
Looking at Phils work they are both in the early category. Upon examination of the pictures I could find on the internet, all seemed to fall in the early category as well. My biggest concern was that there were early vehicles without the zimm and it appears that indeed there were. Given that I have decided to go with an early vehicle. But if anyone has further info that would enlighten me please feel free to do so.
Here is a shot of the rudimentary interior. I did add some of it as I want to add a figure in the hatch to help illustrate the size of this thing. I did not concern myself however too much as you can see by the big gaps!
And in a move that I don't usually do, I started to add the bits to the upper hull prior to gluing it to the lower hull. Not sure why but I seem to be able to handle the model a bit better using this process. Especially for the small bits.
A shot of the roof:
And two of the engine deck. Nothing special here. Just drilled out the one bit on the hatch. Not sure what it is for??
A shot of the front, nothing really added yet:
Now some shots of the superstructure sides. As you can barely see, there is a texture to the armor so I did not add any. One frustration is that after gluing the track hangers, the track itself does not seem to line up quite right with the bit at the bottom:
Not sure how I will address that yet.
Here is a shot of the other side. I did drill out holes in the two bits as photos show they were there:
Now that I have decided what version I will be building, I should be able to plug along a little quicker. There really aren't that many little bits to this monster!
Stuke,
Like Larry I have the old kit but it does not seem to be too different. I already have all the extra bits for it anyway. 
Hey Stuke!
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