I have to agree with Bolar on the engine size. I used an OS .20 and had a riot with the plane until I tore the Tail Off coming out of a Split S. The plans say that a .20 is OK but the plane is definately designed to fly electric (read slow ...or slower than a .20)
As to the elimination of the elastics that will bee an engineering feat of no small proportion. The design of the plane does NOT lend itself to an easy solution. I have a few radical ideas but then you start messing with the weight of the plane and this bird is designed to be LIGHT! (back to the Electric concept) If you do add too much to the plane you won't get off of the ground or it'll tear apart in flight because the wings cannot take the stress.
With all of that said; I is a great plane that flies extremely well, you just have to stay within the flight envelope.
