Panzer IV H turret skirts

[steelmen]

I'm working on the Tamiya Panzer IV H,and i have a question. I want to re-do the turret skirt. I'm doing this build without all the aftermarket goodies,except for tool brackets,and tracks. Can i just sand the kit parts down to the right thickness, or should i use brass sheet? If i wanted to use plastic sheet, how to you get it to bend? Do you clamp it to the kit part? I know it's a lot of questions,but i'm new to this site,and armor modeling. Any help would be great. One last question. I saw a picture of the best in show at EURO2006 by Phil Stutcinskas. I would like to do that paint scheme. Was it in any mags or on a web site? I believe it was a Panzer IV J.