Thanks, Colin (@coling) and John (@johnb). I also am not very familiar with 109s, although I really like how they look when they are done. I usually do just enough research to build the particular kit I am working on at the time. I am glad to have found a site like iModeler that encourages modeling endeavors, because there are definitely a lot of modelers here that know considerably more than I do about most of things I build. I have seen sites where the "Experts" feel like they need to point out your mistakes.
I have used oil washes for a more general application in the past, but I now like to use more specific panel line applications, followed by applying oils to panels and so on. I waffle back and forth about the best time to do the panel line washes, either before or after the oil application to the panels. There are times when I apply the panel lines first and then some of them disappear in the later applications. If they do, I just go back and reapply the panel line wash. I have not used Van Dyke Brown, but I think it is similar to the Dark Brown Panel Line Wash from Tamiya, which I used on this plane. Sometimes black is just too dark for the model.
The only problem I have had with this technique is that sometimes the oils soak into the clear flat coat and can't be manipulated. I minimize this by working in small areas and removing the excess oils as soon as I can. Oils don't seem to soak into Tamiya clear flat as much, but it sometimes doesn't stand up to the thinner as well. I always start the weathering process on the underside of the wings, just in case there is a problem. I have found that some thinners are more aggressive than others, and have settled on the odorless thinner because it is less aggressive.
Like everything else in modeling, it is a matter of experimenting with techniques and seeing what you like the best. Oils are fun, but it looks like the techniques that you both use on your models serve you well.
