Well here is the hit list for the hull
# 1 is the non-slip - used elmers glue and baking soda , it tried to peel at the edges so I had to put a rough coat of paint to seal it down
# 2 The grab handle is in the wrong place . It needs to be to the left of the skirt pin
# 3 The lip around the drivers hole is not supposed to be there - dremel to the rescue
# 4 The drive cover plates on lower rear of the hull are not square - it looks like this pic
http://tanxheaven.com/m1a1aim/DSC04288.JPG
# 5 The lift rings on the back grill are also missing
# 6 The inside mesh screen on the air intake for the engine is supposed to be canted - not flat
# 7 No nozzle for the bilge pump
There are a few other odd and ends details that I am adding to this kit

The 1st coat of the non-slip

non-slip on the back deck

the drivers hole after the lip has been removed

the fender braces added with resin end connecters

The air intake mesh added and corrected

The drive covers - not quite the right shape - still need some work

Crew step replaced with wire

The back grill

Over view of the hull
Hope this gives some of the guys doing this tank for the Group build some ideas .

Carlton,
First off, it looks to be off to a good start. Second, How did you apply the non slip? Finally, can your method be used over masked off areas? It looks real good STUG

turrettoad13,
What is your recipe for non-skid? I think I may give it a try on my M1.
Great pics, very helpful!
Thanks!

Hiya Toady, ,
this really shows two things:
-there's always something to be improved
- you're skills are making huge steps t'wards near perfection (see.1))
really good job, I'll use some of that on my kit, for sure!

-Andreas-

Thanks guys . The non-slip coating was done by first : # 1 masking off the places that I didnt want it to go such as the hinge along the battery box on the right rear of the back deck . Then # 2 I took a old brush and painted on Elmers glue . Then # 3 before it dried I sprinkled baking soda on the wet glue . The tank looked like it had been through a snow storm by the time I was done . After removing the loose powder with a soft brush a pretty convincing non-slip coating . I wanted to try the Gunze sufacer idea that Vodink posted but the LHS didnt have any in stock . Oh well - Toad out .

Yep I better start mine soon!! Haven't even glued the hull together? OOPs!!
Maybe if I don't stay on this puter so long I might get something done to it!!
Well have 4 days of vacation saved
Okay Boss I need off to build my M1A2. What!!!!
So What tracks are you using turrettoad?
Nice start enjoyed the anti skid appliciation!! (++)

Your work impressed me and make me want to build the Tamiya one and with those conversions. Thanks for some of the tips and good work on your model so far.

Are those also applicable to the M1A1 and M1A1HA? I mean all those conversions?