Thanks for the support gents, very much appreciated.
@Trackpad - thanks for that link and the painting tips. I've had the kit for a while - an impulse buy after repeated visits to Des' main site

. Since then I've collated a few resources on building Roden's Dr.1 including an extensive PDF called '
Improving the Fokker Dr.1' by Claudio Kalicinski from Modeler Site. It outlines the faults you mention and many improvements. I know I said I'd build OOB, but I may try some of the fixes.
I'm not liking the plastic pushrods for the engine and my fat fingeredness managed to slightly damage the exhaust ring

. So I'm going to attempt some mods - nothing major mind you. My already great respect for those of you working and detailing in smaller scales has gone through the roof!!
Progress so far has been basically:
~ the seat, which I'm rounding the edges of somewhat and fashioning a very basic cushion for;
~ the fuel tank (Claudio adds an oil filler cap and a fuel gauge which I'm not going to attempt as it requires mods to the front decking) &
~ starting the engine (one part was broken in the kit, it appears to allow the engine and prop to rotate when constructed? Fixed now)
Finally got a dedicated sprue cutter and files this morning so that will help things along!!
Cheers,
Andrew