Thanks for the link to the pictures Bob. I will be going through them to see how the full scale tanks are done.
I had already figured out that the clamps should not be painted, and that will be easy since I have the Aber clamps set up already. I can see missing that with the built in clamps on the kit parts.
I am going to start out factory fresh and go from there. I have never done any weathering, so any I do will be simple. I have ben looking into creating chips and scratches, and that does not seem too difficult.
Whatever I do, I will practice on scrap pieces first, and often.
Steve