I started this model last week and looking at the photos that the author has of this model.... I can see that he painted it. So, I went and got some paints. I plan on painting the parts as I finish them, though, by necessity some parts will not be painted.
That really size quite amazing. I'd be tempted to use the patterns to make the pieces out of aluminum flashing from Home Depot, and make the whole thing out of aluminum. What you're doing looks superb!
Next update: my internet has been out for a few days and I just got it back. Had a bad thunderstorm with 80mph winds come through and ripped the Cable tv lines away from the house, and poles.
This really is beyond my expectations. This is really a bright spot in the modeling world that a company can come up with such nice models at reasonable prices. Your build is superb. It would be nice if they had a body for it, something that could be used whole, or as a cut-a-way to enhance a diorama. I'd buy a plastic case for that, to keep the dust off and preserve it.
I found a problem. I think that the parts circled in red should be mounted higher on the frame. when I mounted the torsion bars they forced this part upward almost to the point that the part wants to separate from the frame.