Nah you just don't get the resistors. Or buy bulbs with out the resistors like interior lights. LEDs are just LEDs nothing special. I know many people buy 'automotive' 12v led strips because resistors are built in to run them off 3s lipos.
That said Chuck what are you after? True navigation...
Yea youll need a computerized TX or something like a 4channel spektrum dx4 tx which usually ships with more expensive flight sims. Regardless you should get a main tx to controll all your stuff. Something cheap like a fllysky i6x will do.
Thats video out. You should be able to view quadcopter video footage thru the lcd of the transmitter if you want to use goggles you simply plug your goggles into that port. I dont think youll get any info like alt or gps unless its already on the screen?
Most R/C guys use decals or if theyre creative theyll airbrush/spray cans. Cant see how youll be able to use paint pens as theyre mostly used for paper or canvas so it wont work with a plastic/carbon body.
I think details are you best option unless you already know how to paint. What quad do...
there are tilt rotor drones already too.
But since youre making a large scale drone you can implement both tilt rotor and variable pitch. As for variable pitch I thinks theres a guy on YT who made a scale Pilatus PC12 with a variable pitch prophub, opensource