Great start. I've had good luck with X-31 and X-32 but X-34 metallic brown is killing me. They are all very translucent. X-12 sucks. Have you tried testors gold in the little jars? Great stuff!
Did you have any issue with the white duplicolor primer? For me, the white etches the surface like crazy. I find I have to use the grey to seal the body, then shoot the white. Have you tried airbrushing duplicolor? If you thinks its good from the can, try it with the AB!