I bought a Trumpeter T-55 3 months back. It was an in-expensive kit but the build was a challenge given the quality of the kit. It took me a long time to assemble this, I am almost done assembling ...but I decided to base coat + filter it.....first....

I hate to think that all my hard work building this kit will be destory when I start weathering it.....

Looking pretty good so far Mikado. A little subtle weathering will not destroy your T-55.

Are the tracks the vinyl tracks, that came with the kit?

In what way was it a challenging kit?

Nice clean build you got there!

Weathering will only make the tank more realistic looking. If you're afraid of 'spoiling' the tank, do some light weathering.

Hope to see your end product soon.

I am working on this same kit, and it is indeed a challenging build as far as accuracy is concerned! There are a lot of details absent, so I am scrach building and adding some PE too.

But I must say mikado, you have done a great job so far. Carry on

Well, if it works for you, then it is ok. Personally I prefer a tank that looks a bit used. Nice, clean build btw, but you must do something with the color of the tracks. Russian tracks start to rust at the factory :-)
They don't look very realistic at the moment.

Cheers
Erik