I was quite pleased with the way it turned out.
I started by priming the entire model flat black. Then I masked off seperate "panels" on the body tube and removed them a few at a time while coating with various metallic layers of paint (silver, gold, bronze, copper). I used Rustolem Metallics because they dry incredibly fast. After that I scuffed the metallics down to the primer in spots to give that "broken in" look. Then a quick spattering of primer again and more scuffing around the engines.
I just kept layering and misting until the look was right...
After applying the stickers and dullcoting the entire model, I painted the wingtip pods glossy orange and misted over the orange with metallic purple. Kinda gave them the "glowing" look I was thinking about when I figured out that my original plan for bright red ala the astron interceptor wasn't going to work for a lack of red paint in my paint box...
Hope this is helpful for those of you who might want to produce a similar look.