RE: project "Stryker"
Pushers can be made to go real fast! Problem is prop availability. Aside from that, fuel delivery is 180 degrees out of whack.....you don't want a speed plane to go rich when you pull the nose up. I get around that problem by using a high pressure bladder. I've also carved my own props out of maple, the thinner you can make them, the faster you go. It sounds like you've got 7 inch pusher props, so why not give the pusher set up a try?
BTW, extreme speed planes don't have any gear hanging down....[:'(]