in my opinion the fact that the first and the last example chronologically is pauldrons over the backpack I'd say that's the correct way of doing it. it's also the way to avoid creasing. visually in the new hope and onwards pauldrons look like the finaly top covering piece.
Yeah I tend to agree. I guess it depends on which backpack piece you end up using. If you use the single stud piece you might be able to get away with putting the pauldron under it