Hey Mailwalker,
Russ is right; we are all on this hobby journey and all of us still have room to grow and learn new techniques. As far as dry brushing goes it's okay to pre-treat your bristles with a little thinner, but you want to make sure your brush is almost completely dry.
After I paint the base coat, I let it dry for a good while. Then I get my wide, soft brush and dip it in the paint enough to cover the bristle tips. Then I lightly drag it across a textured paper towel or napkin to remove most of the paint. Once most of the paint is gone, the remaining paint will form a more defined pattern and only attach to the very highest point of your model. (Like the knobs, switches, and buttons on your side panels). Once I've got the paint down to that small amount, I transfer it to the model itself.
Looking at your pictures, it looks like you are getting the technique, but maybe you're applying a little too much pressure on the brush and the bristles are doing into the work deeper than you wanted. Try using a lighter touch and work in one direction at first- left to right, or up and down. It takes a little practice, but you'll get there.
I also like to find good pictures of what I'm trying to replicate and will have a picture of the actual item from a book, or pulled up from my internet file on my computer to capture the actual 'look' of the item.
You can also use 'washes' to give those small details more 'pop' and visibility and to add shadows in areas where they'd appear on the actual item. And maybe one of the guys on here can explain 'color modulation' techniques......(Still struggling with that one myself.!!)....like I said, always something we can learn!!!
Good luck with your Super Sabre!
TAD