My recent obsession is to paint the kit using two similar colors based on the design drawings and anime, and then create a slightly original paint job. (^o^;)
For the Messala, I've seen images of it being a blue-ish purple, so I'm painting it in a way that can be interpreted as either color.
Painting it in different colors can be a bit of a masking nightmare (lol).
I'm glad I took a photo before applying the decals.
Using anything other than the manufacturer's original decals is against the regulations, right?

Messala with a particular theme (before decals applied) | JB☆⑧'s Gunpla works