Looking good, Bob. I used to build a lot of WW1 vac kits. Scale planes, Joystick, Libramodels, and the best in my opinion was Sierra Scale Models. Did all the struts with Contrail airfoil shaped strut material. Wheels and engines were always an issue. Aero club made these items in white metal. I still have a few unbuilt in the stash. You’re making me think of dragging one out.

Thank you John @j-healy, sounds like you have build some nice kits, my builds are the easy ones LOL...in regards to engines and wheels I agree on being issues. On my last Vac-form build I stayed with the kit's engine in which I was not happy about, the wheels I replaced with a resin set.

Progress in the cockpit area, the control column was made from a wire twistie. A little scaping was needed to make the cockpit hit properly but not too bad.

Hand painted everything; I could barely see this stuff. I know this is no Eduart kit, but I still like how it looks. The elevator trim wheel on the pilot's left side is made from the same wire twistie. The other levers are from stretched sprue.

8 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Here the wings are cut out, sanded and dry fitted to make sure it looks right. This area is going to take some work, this is a gull wing so it I will have to be careful.

On the final shot I open up the bottom part of the wing to have a wheel well.

To make sure I am on the correct wing panel, I label them right top as "RT", right bottom as "RB", same for the left side - LT/LB.

9 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Here I start the process of installing the wing. I installed the spar that came with this kit and used it as a guide and support on glued the upper part of both wings.
Later I will have to build up the wheel well a bit, I will do this before glued the lower part of the wings. This area I know will need some shims to make the leading edge look correct.

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Jay @ssgt, yes it is more work but I do not mind. I am enjoying this build more than my last one. The following items will be a bit challenging:
Wheel wells
Make the propeller
Scratch build the landing gear.
And trim the clear part to make it sit right.

I am glad this is a small kit.

Lost of words for your meticulous job, my friend @v1pro!
Superb improvizations!

Here I show my down and dirty way of building up the wheel wells for this build. After gluing the pieces, I gave painted the area silver and not pictured, I then painted it RLM 02.

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.