Thanks all.
Wojtek, the decals were clear coated with gloss varnish, but they're around 38 or 39 years old, and have been bent a bit at some time also.
The remaining two crosses might have worked, but I didn't want to risk it, so the grey areas have been painted.
Andy and Glenn, it is rather puzzling the the paint has dried semi-gloss, as the other MM paints I've use gave a nice matt finish. It seems to have settled down a bit now though, and is not quite as glossy. But either way, the finish was smooth and even, if still a touch tacky after around 12 hours, so no problem.
I've now painted the grey areas of the fuselage crosses, and slightly altered the upper / lower demarcation on the fuselage again, below the cockpit.
The masks have been removed from the crosses, winkel and tail band, and some panel line washes have been applied around the cowling joints, simulating the look in the photos of the real aircraft.The control surfaces have also had a thin wash, and, once the paint has hardened for another 12 or more hours, some further light panel line work, and the first stages of weathering and staining, will be done.
Then it's a gloss coat or two, followed by the decals when the varnish is fully dry.
PIC 1. The masking for the fuselage crosses in the process of being applied. I anticipate some re-touching of the grey, once the decals for the white outline crosses have been added.
PICS 2 and 3. What the model looks like so far, with the masks removed, and the additions / corrections mentioned above.
Back sometime tomorrow - if I don't freeze my nuts off first (see 'What Annoyed you Today' thread ) !!