HELP-Confused about Upgrades and Win7

[Akmatov]

I have the downloaded CD version of winSPMBT from 2005. I also now have a Win7 machine. The latest patch listed at Shrapnel is

winSPMBT: Main Battle Tank Consolidation Patch (to v6.0):
The Consolidation Patch updates winSPMBT to version 6.0.

Additionally we are told:

Attention Windows 7 users, you can now enjoy the greatest tactical wargames of combined arms warfare on your PC in the smoothest experience yet seen! Camo Workshop is pleased to announce brand new installs of their smash hit classic games, winSPWW2 and winSPMBT, are now available - just in time for the holidays!

Questions:

1) Can I install my CD download winSPMBT Version: 28 Jun 2005 and then upgrade to version 6.0 via the Consolidation Patch.

2) Or, must I install my CD download winSPMBT Version: 28 Jun 2005 and then upgrade to version 6.0 by installing:
Ver 2.0
Ver 2.5
Ver 3.0
Ver 3.5
Ver 4.0
Ver 4.5

- but wait, I don't have and Shrapnel doesn't offer ver 5.0 or ver 5.5.

So it looks like the upgrade path is 1) - but this is not clearly stated anywhere I can find. Please help, this is confusing.

UPDATE:
In trying out the Consolidation Patch I find "This installer includes all of the patch files to upgrade winSPMBT v1.0 to v6.0" I think this answers my question, but it is pretty inconvenient to ONLY place this vital information in the middle of the install process. The information that the Consolidation Patch will update v1.0 to v6.0 AND tweak winSPMBT to run on Win7 is nowhere obviously stated.

As I understand it, the Consolidation Patch is GREAT! But the information about it is definitely sub-par.