I am building Tamiya's M1A1 kit and have a few question, sorry if they have been asked before.

There are two cylinders that look like some type of ammo containers that appear to be used to carry personal gear that can be mounted on the turret rack. Are they smooth on the side or is there a step or lip just before the end that looks removable?

The sand color on the M1A1 photos I have seen range from a very light almost white yellow to a mustard color that almost matches the artwork on Tamiya's box to Earth and Pinkish Sand on others. Is there really such a variation in colors? I would think it was my monitor settings to the lighting when the picture was taken but I do not see such variations in the uniforms of the soldiers and tankers that may be on or near the tank. Is the color for ODS and OIF different or have more variations?

After finishing a Academy Abrams the Tamiya is a nice relaxing out of the box build in comparison but being ignorant of M1A1 details I do not know what era the Tamiya best represents? ODS?

Since I am limited to rattle cans what brand would be a close match for a desert color Abrams? I was thinking Floquil Earth?

These are 203mm (8") arty powder cans. There should be a lip where you mention. They are usually used to carry rolled up maps.

I'm assuming it is their older M1A1 kit ( # 35156). This kit best represents an ODS tank out of the box. It has older features such as T-156 chevron-block track, the older gunner's sight box (but this is still seen on more modern tanks as well), and rear hull mounted APU.