Many thanks to all for the kind words, I appreciate them very much!! Time to get back on "track", time is drawing near! The Magic Tracks that come with the kit are well detailed, but very small! I decided to try a different approach to these, making two runs then painting, all at warp speed!
The instructions call for 99 links per side and after reading several reviews confirming this, I went with it. I always count out my links, putting them in a plastic cup, keeps me square during this mindless task. Good tunes and the Optivisor are a must for me! I place a run of blue tape sticky side up on my trusty track board, securing the ends with more tape. The regular blue 3M is just sticky enough to keep the links in line, but lets go when you need to get the tracks up.
I made one run of 50 links and another at 49. After the assembly, I liberally apply Testors Liquid Cement to the run, waiting 15-20 minutes to let it set up. On this first set, I ran the tracks around the sprockets and idlers and let it set another 10 minutes. Removing the tracks from the vehicle, I brush painted the tracks with Panzer Aces Track Primer and set them aside to dry. In about 15 minutes, they were dry to the touch and I mounted them to the vehicle. On the other side, I did the same thing EXCEPT I painted the run before bending the links around the suspension. This proved to be easier, guess they were easier to paint flat? :idonno
Clearing that hurdle, I set the gun in place to test the location of the upper armor.
It took a couple tries to figure out exactly where the gun needed to sit, but I finally figured it out and placed the armor.
The dirt and grime are MIG and Vallejo pigments, washes and filters. I have a lot of little bits and pieces yet to go, hopefully I'll finish on time. Some of the references I have read say they carrying of spare wheels on the hull was done in Russia, call mine an ahead of it's time field modification.

Comments, suggestions and corrections always welcome.