Hey Jim
It is a fairly easy kit to build if you have any experience at all. I would throw the plastic cowl away and get one from Fiber Glass Specialties. Mine has been on mine for about eight or nine years now. My windshield did not fit very well either and it is starting to look pretty ragged so I might try to order another one. It is a good flying plane you will like it. I don't think it would be hard to shorten the nose. If I remember right it is balsa sheet with a ply doubler. The rudder and elevator servos mount inside the rear of the fuse, and could be moved forward if the c g is an issue.
Ron