Good on ya Mathew, That's the spirit mate! Yes, I treat all the sub assemblies as individual models that come together to make one build. Not all that diffrent from than actual ship construction.
although you may not be ready, an air brush is invaluable for painting. There are several from inexpensive nail sallon AB's to expensive professional types. All will work but you get what you pay for. Usually something in between works well for modelers.
Prince of Wales superstructure in progress and not attached to the deck. I treat will treat this part as one and paint, rig and complete it prior to installing it for good to the deck.
Startng the camo
North Carolina weekend work. I will black base then attach parts, black base again, then spray the camo and deck colors when all the parts except for railings, are in. The black base helps show shadows. I would rather have black some where I can't reach with an air brush than grey bare plastic.
The photo etch is something you migh want to get to someday. Right now I'd suggest sticking to OOB
The superstructure/tower. There is still a few things needed to install but painting first. You can see some sanded filler in most of the joins or pin marks (made during the manufacturing process)
Modern ships, I found, can be build all at once but again, that's me.
Here's my Spruance built for the US build, built at one time before painting
The Misouri I built in 1989. I'd love to do it again.
My latest now.
The one I'm most proud of. The Prinz Eugen at Bikini island 1946. Completed in 2016
This is a VERY addecting hobby. You will want to build up your stash until there is now way of completing everything before you die.
The Admiralty