Success!

Seams cleaned up, pieces levered and reset, triangle piece added to get more sticking power. I also made a new foil jig to hold the opening wide for the fuselage after the horrible experience last time.

It was still a darn tight fit. Really tight. I tried using the cockpit assembly as a level to further pry open the fuselage while getting it snapped in there.

In the end, I realized there was just no way. I tried makeshift shoehorns, bigger wedge (it wouldn’t come back together once the fuselage was seated and was too firm to squish down further inside after the assembly was in place).

All to no avail. This kit beat me. I decided to shave off some of the bottom of the assembly and let it set with a gap underneath. The top looks good, the fit is tight and well-seated, and since it’s my model and no one but me will look on the underside, the damn thing is what it is. I’m going to enjoy it the way it is.

You’ve got to make your choices and choose your battles, or the modeling won’t be fun. Onward to the finish!