What I used to find helpful was when Airfix had an illustration of the soldier in uniform on the reverse of the box.
Not an official painting guide but a rough idea of what straps went where etc.

The artillery set definitely has the much better box, very nice painting. If you want me to have a second look at sets I've discounted as being of no interest to me then a good painting of the troops in action stands a better chance of hooking me than those photo shop offerings.