hey he's pretty good---you're off to a good start! Yes, there always is a comprimise isn't there--like I'd say using a Tamiya figure OOB for a "serious" attempt at figure painting. Bottom of the list of choices IMO. Considering that handicap, and your 1st try , you've done well. I would advise you get rid of any sheen on him--a common problem that kills the realism on scale figures--matt paints and/or dull cote to seal will help with that. Also a common thing to point out here is avoiding the 'bug-eye' effect of showing too much eye-whites. Those 2 things would go a long way to improving this one---after that tons of practice on more pieces and you may paint excllent. Not to blow you out of the water, but just for some perspective is a Hornet figure of this same subject painted by Micheal McLaughlin, a regular contributer to Military Modelling Magazine
He painted this piece as an exorcise to improve his figure painting, I think he really did a great job on the uniform coloring,shades&shadows If you want to see more of it, it's HERE
Keep at it!