I'm building the Type 63 APC which has this weapon. Trouble is, which parts are supposed to be plain gunmetal and which are painted green? Neither kit instructions nor the pictures I've seen are clear on this.

Tom,
Type 54 machinegun was Chinese version of the Soviet DShK.
Here is a picture of the Soviet DShKMT(tank version):


Hope this helps,

https://books.google.se/books?id=sFAUBwAAQBAJ&pg=PT14&lpg=PT14&dq=PLA+Type+54&source=bl&ots=gZbfxmfISX&sig=77f_a14yk_xsZ9LcXpk-87JKui8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiMucyOkaXWAhVmYpoKHYVUBekQ6AEIXzAL#v=onepage&q=PLA%20Type%2054&f=false

A Google-book: "Practical Guide to the Operational Use of the DShK & DShKM Machine Gun"
It claims that the vehicle mounted version is actually called Type 59
Link to large image of Type 59 tank showing turret and Type 54/59 MG
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Type_59_tank_-_front_right.jpg

Use the link to view the original image, when it is included in this forum post the number of pixels is reduced.

Maybe the image can provide some clues
/ Robin