Useful info, my friend @brithebuilder!

Mmmmm, salmon... Mixture of Citadel Tuskgor Fur and Bugman's Glow. More of a splotchy application of the 2 and not a true mix. Many of the images I could find of this color mentioned that it was not a pre-mixed color and was never the same twice. I have used the Vallejo Air Insignia White to touch up around the edges and the color seems to match the Tamiya really nicely. If it isn't perfect, it should be covered up be all the weathering to come later.

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Pretty nice dry fit!

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

@johnb - Thanks John. Tom posted a link to an article he wrote for Modeling Madness back on page 5 of this thread. Some very good info there and Tom's writing style is pretty great!

@gblair - Thanks George. The wings aren't even glued in the photo. I'm going to paint the lower part of the outer wing intermediate blue before assembly.

Nice progress, Brian.
I like the extra support you added for the wing joints.
I use an older masking putty product called Panzer Putty which I believe is similar to your AK product. I will have to look into the silly putty as well.

Progress with AS-8. I think I like the Vallejo US Navy Sea Blue more than the Tamiya version, but it's cool to have both side by side. I believe all the pieces are painted. Should be final assembly and decal time... then my favorite part, weathering!

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Looks really great after painting, Brian @brithebuilder