OK I started my kit last night (12/20) to officially kick off the build.
I figured that assembling the lower and side hull pieces would still allow painting, yet bypass having to mask or scrape paint off the mating edges. Ejector pin marks will be out of sight once all the seats and accessories are fixed in place.
Fit is pretty good, which is a relief, as the hull is made up from "flat pack" panels and the edges have to mate perfectly to avoid losing the raised detail (nails?).