RE: lighting system
Scott,
I just installed Dan's (details4scale) multiwatt system in my Yellow F-18, which was supplied pre-painted. It was actually pretty straightforward to do. Only trick part was using a sharpened brass tube to drill a hole from the bottom of the fin up into the fiberglass molded fin tip.
Dan made special lenses for the Yellow F-18 tail lights and strobes, and I think has them for other makes as well.
It is a very very nice system!
Here is a pic...
Dave