i know someone that built one of these and its covered in solartex, you will tell this as the covering is "rough" and has a TEXTURE to it

anyway that spit is a mk1 spit and hostoricly never had cannons just MG's, but if this doesnt bother you just use some dowl and then shape it , i find balsa way to soft for this kind of thing...

as for weathering i have used boot polish at grate results in the past, you dont need much at all rub it into the covering and make it stratch as far as you can, you can use it round exhaust staks and air intake's basicly anywere you think, once that done i just give it a very quick blast over with the spray gun with clear lacquer, this seals it all and gives a nice finish....

as for the decals i have no idea m8 didnt it come with any?? i thought it was all there ?

let us know how you get on