Ken was just checking back in and noticed the gap chord. I agree with both you and your wife the gap chord is excessive to the point its going to look very odd indeed. And I believe it would be a mistake to deepen the fuselage turning the airplane even more into a characture airplane and not even very recognizable as a ringmaster.

I am not talking about aerodynamics, Hang the aerodynamics if it does not look right you will never be happy. I am going to suggest you do not deepen the fuselage more and that you lower that top wing until it looks right to the eye. Another suggestion is even though it is not needed aerodynamically is to add some mild dihedral to the lower wing as this will improve the looks immeasurably.

I have done many "kit Bashes" over the years and one of my goals was always avoid loosing the identity of whatever it was that was started with.

John