Well, great minds think alike regardless of which hemisphere they are thinking in.
Two thoughts: Windsor Newton sable brushes are really hard to find at the moment because there is apparently a shortage of sable. But they are worth looking for if you can find them. They are an expensive initial investment but, if well cared for, they will last a long time and prove their worth. Secondly, there are a lot of fluids out there made especially to extend the working/open time for acrylic paints. (May I suggest visiting and art store.) One of the best is retarder. Just don't drink it....as George obviously does. 
I look forward to continuing following this build.
Cheers from NYC
Yes, Michael, I am not surprised, that great minds do coincide in theiropinions, I was only stricken by the fact, that the opinions came almost simultaneously.
As for the brushes, I managed to find the WN sable brushes in one web-shop here, in Poland. Two are apparently on their way to my place now.
And I do not drink acrylic paint retarders. I have one, and I use it as per instructions
And finally - some steps taken in the build.
First, my DFW C.V has an unusual exhaust. And none of five options included within the sprues of WNW kit was correct for this purpose. But I discovered, that I can build one using fragments of two kit parts. So here it is - the final product alongside the spurious bits.
I have also closed the fuselage and added the turtledeck around pilot's cockpit, the chin panel and the bottom panel. Great fit of WNW parts does not mean, however, for me at least, that no filling and sanding was necessary. On the contrary, I had to use some CA glue to make the seam lines disappear - the split of the WNW kit fuselage into elements does not necessarily correspond to panel lines on the real bird.
I have also started preparing the engine bits - here dry-fitting without side cowlings
and with them and the cabane struts
