RE: rudder pitch coupling
It looks to me like you have the opposite of the pitching problem that is common to models of the CAP series of planes. Which makes sense, because they have stabs mounted higher than the wing, you've basically reversed the "problem". If you raise your horzontal stab, say to the hight of the wing, you should see a dramatic lessening of this effect. (see threads in here about CAP performace questions for more details)