The best way that I have found to remove covering is with a heat gun and lots of patience... it will just peel off.
As required you can also use some packing tape to put on the covering and pull the covering off SLOWLY!
Basically the glue loosens up with the heat and off it comes!
Once the covering is off - then you can see what other damage is present.
Also - ONCE you are finished the repairs you could add glue to the entire structure to add strength - but I DO NOT recommend that. You add too much weight and gain too few benefits.
As discussed above - the plane is definately worth repairing, take your time and have some fun with it!
