I have the wheeled version, but the same techniques apply.
The easiest way to paint a biplane is in sub-assemblies, before adding the top wings. If you are building the wings folded, paint them before attaching them to the center section. You can also paint the struts separately. Decalling is much easier before adding the wings.
For the P.E. rigging (I'm assuming that you bought the Tamiya P.E. set), make sure that you open ALL the mounting holes. Use CA at one end, & "float' the other end into the hole, without glue. If need be, you can glue it after it is in place. Do as much of the rigging as you can before attaching the upper wing..
So, keeping the plane & top wings separate, I would suggest doing it in this order : Paint, glosscoat, decal, seal, install rigging, and assemble wings.
Hope this helps ! Good luck on the kit. Its a beautiful model.