Hab, Thanks.
Scratch building is a lot of fun. For sure, give the Hots a try. I had one many years ago with an HB 61 in it and had a blast. I built mine with a solid fuse with plug in wings on a tube rather than a one piece bolt on wing, much like a Sig Somethin' Extra. Radio and fuel tank were accessed by a hatch on the bottom. I was always a little leary of that very thin fuselage at the wing area and actually saw others that broke at the wing. I am tempted to build another but already have too many airplanes on the build list. I have a Skylark 56 that was acquired as a wreck that I rebuilt but I have no plans. Though it flys OK, I am not that impressed with it. It is just a good sport airplane.
Now I hope to be on to building some more viable competion pattern planes. I have a nearly ready to finish Phoenix (6-7?) that I bought at a garage sale in the 80's that has a fiberglass fuse and a built wing and tail. Also, I have a ready for covering Super Kaos. Also, laying in wait are a number of plans for a Kwik Fli III, Doug Spreng Thunder Stormer, Beachcomber - to name a few. By the time I get these built, I will be too old to fly them! I had better get back to my shop and get to work.
Good luck flying the Pattern Master!