I've seen the switches/controls relocated to the turret, either in the loader's or commander's hatch. Sometimes others fabricate a lift up panel with hinges on the rear hull where an engine hatch or grating normally is.

Anyway, the focus is on attempting to make the tank's lower hull like a solid bathtub. Just seal all the openings and try to stay out of water that is higher than the top of the hull.

You don't necessarily need a Dremel to cut through the plastic--it is helpful but you could get by by using a simple electric drill, cutting multiple holes in a box shape and then punching out the "hole". Further smoothing can be accomplished with a basic hobby knife.

Somewhere in the back messages is a heavily modified Tiger posted by one of our members who made the same kinds of mods. It might have been semseyp.

These are just some things to just think about and at the same time are things you can accomplish somewhere on down the line as you learn and get more skilled...

-Harquebus