Hey Rick, I seldom follow step-by-step builds but had to delve into this one after starting a Roden Nie 27.
Firstly, congrats and deep respect for what you've achieved here. Looks amazing and nobody would know what you've had to go through to pull this pig's ear into shape.
I've always defended Roden 1/32 kits having built several and indeed finding the Albatros D.III to be an excellent kit with perfect strut anchor points etc. However I'm building a CSM XVII and decided to do a Roden 27 at the same time. Oh my goodness, I see now why so many have criticized them. It really is a bit of a toy with very soft details and the comparison with CSM does it no favours. (The only plus point is fewer gate points to clean up - a bugbear with CSM, but of course these help guarantee the sharp detailing!)
I was tempted to just glue it together and use as a mule for an exterior paint job, but your perseverance has encouraged me to take a deep breath and dive in again.
(I've got 50 WNW kits staring at me from the stash - and life's hourglass is not filling itself up again - why the hell did I decide to spend my time on this one?)
Anyway, thank you for showing a way through the labyrinth - and admiration for the beautiful swan you have drawn from a very ugly duckling.
Sandy