Thanks Rivetcounter! Another plausible reason for the exhaust extension. Actually I think your explanation sounds much more realistic. But why reduce the flash is the question. Was is that blinding to other tanks or troopers that they would need to reduce the flash?

Well, I guess it now boils down to what paint job I want the most. I really do love the winter camo.....but I don't like the thought of the extra work of figuring out how to best approach the missing front road wheel, leaving the visible single road wheels that HL provides with plastic tracks....it's a toss up from here.