Anyhow, this piece is built OOB with just a bit of filling and sanding (not really that bad). Biggest problem was the main piece over the top of the breech, where the two carriage halves meet. Over the top, they did not meet and it should have been one solid piece. So it needed to be filled. Otherwise, not a bad kit, though a bit fiddly.
Painted in Model Master and PollyS acrylics. "Distressing" was done by first painting it in MM dark green, then applying rubber cement in various places, then painting it PollyS NATO tri-brown, then painting it MM US Army/Marines Desert tan. Next, I removed the rubber cement (tedious) and then started shading/highlighting and weathering. I just added additional rust weathering to help give it a beat up look.
My favorite part was doing the base, a first for me. It is just mortar grout on a piece of sanded insulation, just like Verlinden do. Works like a charm. Once it had started to dry out, I impressed the gun, figure, and footprints/wheel tracks. Then I lifted all pieces out and let the base dry. Next, just a series of drybrushing.
Now that the experiment is succesfull, on to bigger and better dio's!
Moral of the story: Do not be afraid to try something new. 
