RE: Distance judging
acdii, sorry should have been more specific, I was talking about the spoiler option for your 4Star. I was just commenting on the T-34 because I've actually been in one flying and though I would share. With the full size we always took off from a paved runway so I have no experience about landing or taking off on grass. I can understand your problems with the grass with the RC, I've run into that myself.
Just had a thought about your engine problem. It almost sounds like something is leaning out the engine when you push the nose over, then when you push up the throttle and pull it back it resets whatever the problem is. Might want to take a close look at the carb.