Amazing work done, Chuck @uscusn

Getting back to the Patton, with the base upper deck installed, I airbrushed the top section with NATO black. Which revealed a good seam to fix on the front plate.

I did not like the resin track provided in the kit so I robbed a set of vinyl tracks out of the Tamiya/Italeri M-47 Patton, and they fit perfectly.

After the tacks are installed. Time for a bit of weathering before continuing on.

Using Mig Rust wash to apply over the tracks. I like this stuff, after apply then a q tip is rubbed over the tracks to remove any wash on the high points on the track. Next to go over with a silver pencil. Next USMC OD is airbrushed over the NATO black. The black gives the OD a bit of depth which gives the details some pop.

Next up to add the fenders and other upper hull details.

More to follow

Thanks John they do have some pop with the wash.
Now getting back to the Patton, days are like a blur these days, as the end of October approaches. Before installing the fenders, some details are added to front glacis on the tank.

Tow hooks and front brackets are attached.

Next are the fenders.

First the under surfaces are painted Xtracolour USMC OD. Though I should've removed the 4 stubs under the fenders before painting, oh well. Just cut them off and clean up so the fender fit properly. Very little wiggle due to a precise fit into the side of the hull attachment points.

Once that is accomplished, before installing them to the tank. The thin to scale fenders look real good, not thick. Nice details over the top.

Each fender is slipped into the locating notches on each side of the hull. Click into place, no struggle yet a firm fit.

Both fenders slip into place very nicely, very good fit here. Now has that familiar Patton look.

Next up attaching some more details on the fenders and upper hull
More to follow

The weathering on the belts look particularly good! and with the fenders installed it is a major step done in the build. Very nice and thin fenders.

Chuck (@uscusn)
Nice work here Chuck !

What is really amazing, is that the tow hooks you glued on the front slope look like the exact same ones we used on our M-60's. Could be.. the road wheels and return rollers also look very familiar. I think the Army kept a lot of these parts interchangeable between various tanks, in order to simplify the parts supply chain.

I like how you have swapped the tracks. I have an Italeri M-47 in the stash, and it also has the "rubber band" style of track in the box. You just gave me an idea, about how I can easily fix the M-46 I started building many years ago for my Dad. My problem was that I had not installed the tracks on it when the instructions advise you to. My mistake, and now I might have a simple solution. I wanted to use the steel track block style in place of the rubber blocks like the ones on your model. Dad called the steel track pads "Battle Tracks". He said that most, but not all, of the tanks he was in while serving in Korea had the battle track on them. But your idea is a very viable option for me.

The dusting looks VERY good, as does the weathering. Keep it going my friend.

Time to get to the final few laps to complete the Patton, next step is to add details on the front plate and fenders.

A pair of lift hooks are first attached before building the RH side headlamp base and guard.

Next to assemble the headlamp assy and guard.

This unit will be mounted on the RH side fender.

Finally the RH guard is attached.

Now to attach the RH side tool boxes along the top of the LH fender.

2 boxes are removed from the sprue. The shorter one mounts in front, the longer box close behind.

2 on each side.

The fit is perfect on both sides.

With the boxes mounted on the fenders and the turret temporarily in place, the Patton is slowly taking shape.

Next up assemble the mufflers and rear deck details.

more to follow...

Some real nice progress indeed, Chuck @uscusn