sinijn-- thanks for the tip...I shall look that website up after a bit more browsing on here and see what they have! Much appreciated!
Bubbamoosecat-- you're right, it is darn near impossible to turn up BUFF decals in 1/72, which really surprises me, since it seems (though I'm very probably wrong) to be a popular kit. I'll give Hannants a look later on as well and see what they may have. I have been watching on eBay, checking in every couple of days to no avail (but usually find something else to add to the unbuilt collection...eeek!). Would love to get to a model show, but way up here in the sticks, the nearest one would probably be in either Quebec City or Boston...both are about 8 hour drives one way. While I'm not at all averse to that sort of travel, it's hard to justify to the missus (who really doesn't understand the addiction that this hobby is...must be the paint fumes!).
Anyhow, to close out this novel of a post (for me), the progress update is that most of the subassemblies are complete. Now it's time to do the large area painting, so I need to be able to settle on a scheme soon...and buy more paint! :)