cutaway

Banshee's nose was just flat out too long for any reasonable sized engine ;->

In reality the only reason for nose length is to get the CG close without needing too much weight in the tail or to fit a tank in. The shorter the better.

I think if you went with light booms (like a silk covered rolled balsa tube) and a built up rather than plank tail, the tail is going to come out very light. Probably in the 5oz or less range after paint.