Thanks for the comments - cheers!
Okay moving on, more updates.
Pic 1
After pre-shading all the panel lines the underside was sprayed in "Neutral Grey"
Pic 2
A detail in the pre-shade is to colour the fabric surfaces completely, so they will appear darker. You often see the fabric surfaces stand out due to recovering or different surface texture.
Pic 3
Top surfaces have been covered in Olive Drab, just so the panel lines still show through. I use well thinned paint so I can build up the paint in layers to get the right effect.
Pic 4
Here, hard to see, I've gone over the upper surfaces in faded Olive Drab, avoiding panel lines to give a fade effect to the areas most in sun.
Pic 5
Close up of the tail and you can see the different shades.
Pic 6
I gave the P-61 full stripes, but I wanted to illustrate that the stripes still show through when the requirement to paint out the upper surface stripes was given. For the 422nd this was prior to moving across to the continent as I recall.
Pic 7
So here I have gone back over the stripes with Olive Drab just enough to leave them showing underneath. This was what I was after.
Pic 8
Now unwrapped, I am basically ready to apply the gloss coats and get ready for decals. I will do some exhaust staining and other weathering afterwards, and apply these over the decals to bring it all together.
Okay - another update scheduled very soon. Better get this one done before the deadline this time. 8)