There is a wealth of technique and weathering information at
http://www.modelersite.com/
Look down the left hand side panel on the home page.
http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/
also has a lot of information but you may have to trawl through a few archives
(you say you're no expert Paul? looks pretty darn good to me!)
Not surprised they didn't make many of that plane - it probably flew around in circles! (kidding)
Martin
http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/