Quite a bit got done today!
I bit the bullet and used the band-saw to cut the UPPER hull today down the middle... I finally decided I didn't like the wider look the way I originally had it. It went smoothly and sanding out a new turret opening wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. Yay sanding drum dremel attachment! It's back together as you can see. I just need to reinforce it a bit more.
I reworked (again) the rear end, making things line up better with the newly narrow upper hull. Lots of detail work getting started! You can probably also see new Asiatam PnzIII track tensioners, curtousy of a club member.


Cutting those engine vent slats reminded me of the track pads I cut for my
Indiana Jones tank.... *shivers*... lucky this wasn't so bad!!
*Update*
So it's been a busy weekend! I got a bit more done... solved a couple cosmetic and technical issues by raising the roof of the hull slightly. I used some leftover styrene C-channel as a base and more 1mm sheet on top. Now I can have the very slight angle infront of the turret & above the machine gun & drivers viewport

Styrene C-channel around the outside of the hull ceiling & turret base

Styrene cut to shape and laid ontop

Engine deck detail :copper bar & styrene

New angled plate matches the full scale tank now.
REALLY starting to love this build!!