Jeff,

I am curious as to how far you would go to make the Simla as light as possible. What liberties would you take to get it competitive with a 60 or 65 engine; cap strip construction as opposed to full sheeting, reduced size of structual components, etc., etc.? And of course keep it's overall dimensions and shape intact.

I was doing a little math on eliminating some of the components that I used on my first Simla. Using one battery pack instead of two -5.4 ozs, 65 AX instead of 120 AX -5.2 ozs., eliminating the carbon fiber rods I used as stiffeners - 2.0 ozs., clipped wings and lighter contruction techniques - unknown quantity of ozs., no steering linkage, lighter control rods, and the list goes on and on.

The big one for me is the finishing method to use. Film covering or paint?The film would be lighter, but I believe the paint job just looks better as well as more professional. And the fact of the matter is I have only done one film job and virtually an infinite number of paint jobs. That is why I am working so hard to get my painting technique as light as possible on my first Simla.

Anyway, thanks to your quick response I should have Simla number two on Friday. and as I stated earlier "the fun will begin."(Again)

Bill