Hi Tony,
I'm doing the same kit and have started an album on the build.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/577788841WwTwBX
The colors I used on the hull are Testors Crimson Red and Floquil Grimy Black, the prop area got Floquil Flat Black. As you can see in the photos I had to add about 15 little pieces of sprue to give some strenght to the long axis of the hull. It tended to cave in out of round. Also the lower section of the hull is about 1/16th shorter than the top section, I plant to fill with sprue and putty over.
The reason I pre painted the upper and lower sections is becasue of all the sanding I'll have to do to haide the seams, so I'll be wet sanding for a good bit and I fell thathe base colors will help blend the paint a little better.
Did you notice the spelling on the decal sheet for "Submaine" yet. "Something lost in Translation?"
You can email me direct if you want to jbgroby@charter.net