Thought I'd share my setup and opinions....I like this plane a lot.
Prop is APC 16x10, motor is OS "50" which is 375kv rated, putting out about 1350W on fresh 6S.
My batteries are 6S4000, I have used a variety of flavors, finding that "cheap" is BAD (duh), and that some less-expensive bands are okay. The "Sky Lipo" label from Hobby Partz has proven very good, holding up well. I've ordered 4 Zippy Compact 6S 4000's which should be here very soon; they are lighter, and have earned good reputation so far.
My ESC is the Turnigy HV 80A, also inexpensive from Hobby King. Rock solid. It's an opto - no BEC, but wouldn't use one on this large a servo-airplane setup.
RX setup is 2S Turnigy LiFe 1700mah, feeding a 10A Turnigy 5v/6v safety-switched regulator. (Guess you're seeing my pattern of trusting the Turnigy stuff - but the higher dollar Turnigy. NOT good luck with low-end, just like many things.
Rudder/Elevator are JR DS831's, wings are the Hobby King 94158 BB MG high-torque coreless; they are doing very well. Very precise, excellent centering and resolution. Like them as much as the 8231's.

The CF landing gear from eBay worked just fine...3 arrivals, last of which was kind of a bouncer/back and forth crosswind semi-crash. Stayed on the fuse.

On setup - Rudder is very sensitive - overly-so. I've cut back total travel to 85% of the spec'd 15mm both ways. That throw reduction is AFTER removing the 20mm shown in the setup photos to solve sensitivity issues. Except that I removed only 15mm, being somewhat skeptical.

Elevator sort of mushy for my taste, so I went up on Up to 15mm, Down is at 18mm. These give me a good spin entry, and nice snap. Ailerons at 15mm each way.

Ailerons just used increased travel to taste, no trim required...seem very effective.

I truly like the airplane; it is very precise, knife edges extremely well, can knife edge loop (I cannot) and holds a solid line, even in bumps.