I've now unmasked the markings and taken this snapshot in the fading light. I will apply a decal for the 'ROYAL NAVY' because making it up from the very small, individual, letters I have has proven a step too far.
Why paint the markings? At this scale it is not too difficult and painted on markings always look better than
decals. I like the idea of weathering the markings with the rest of the paintwork (though not in this case, a rare almost prototype aircraft). Also you control the colour. I've matched mine to various references, including ones like this.
These colours are something that many decal sheets get wrong.
Cheers
Steve