I agree I had to much throw in the control surfaces. I've been out of the hobby for quite a while, (10 years or so). This is the first plane EVER, I used expo on. My next change was to reduce the throws and back off on the expo. While I was only running 35%, I felt it was to much. My change was to look for a more linear control throw feel. While it had the old snappy cappy feel to it, the plane never surprised me on landing and I made several touch and goes on each flight. I believe I had the CG very close to the correct point, but only 10 flights in I was just starting to get the feel for it and those changes were forth coming.

Weight reduction is in the process right now. The vertical fin is a chunk of 3/8 balsa, I've taken out anything I think I can get away with. The factory doublers were 3/32 ply with lightening holes. I'm using 1/16 ply with out holes. Maybe no weight saving, but IMO, stronger. I've also taken out some of the structure under and behind the firewall which added no strength, only weight and may have even weaken things a bit???

Vertical performance while not unlimited was more than enough. At an 80 degree angle it would climb out of sight.