You ain't kidding about the fiddly parts. Before assembly I always make a game plan on what goes on before fuselage painting, what parts are easiest to paint then attach, and what parts are likely to to get whacked off during construction like pitot tubes. Those always go on last.
All 1/48 scale
WIP
Tamiya Spitfire MK1, Tamiya F16 block 50
stash
Hasegawa F15E Strike Eagle, AMK MiG 31, Tamiya Corsair, Tamiya F14D, Eduard F6F-5 Hellcat, and GWH Devastator.