RE: flying around with flaps down
So the only issue is that it wants to drop its nose when the flaps are up? Are you able to trim it for straight flight at all? If you will start working through an aerobatics trim guide you should find the problem. You should be able to get straight flight at full throttle and maintain it down to 1/2 or at least 2/3 throttle also if the plane is trimmed right.