Excellent work on your Tripe Chris. As you know the kit has some design/ engineering issues and the tricky undercarriage is one of them. Rest assured when you progress past the fuselage/ lower wing fit issue and non-fitting cockpit coaming, most of the build is straightforward.
The thing about WNW kits, like any model kits, is that they have faults and flaws too, but the great mass of WNW fans out there wants to maintain the myth that WNW kits are perfection in every way. The kits are state of the art and without doubt the best WW1 models on the market right now, but they have some faults too and need a careful and considered approach to building to get that showroom result.
Your Tripe is looking really impressive and the wood effect is very well done.
cheers
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia