Phil,
That's why I add the 1 inch extension to the nose. I like short linkages so all servos are, usually, within a 3-6" of the moving surface.
With full cockpit, functioning cowl flaps and canopy, full doors that she will weigh 38-42 lbs. No problem with this size plane, especially with a DA-85 on the business end. I like planes that aren't bothered by cross winds and, when they land, they stay on the ground, and don't float back into the air. The P-47 can take the weight: with a huge wing and barn like flaps, it's an easy plane to fly and land.
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Fuse (cont)
Tail wheel doors:
Had to add F-10A half former as I forgot about the tail wheel doors. Also, had to make another former between F-11 and F-12 for the back of the doors. I took F-11 and F-12's template and made one about 1/2 the size between the two formers. Also, cut door end formers and CA'ed them to the fuse formers with some 2/32" thick balsa for spacers. Used all basswood so the doors would be sturdy as well as the door wells. The door frames and door well is made using 1/8"X1/4" basswood.
Also, made a hatch for accessing removing the 6 bolts holding the tail gear to the wood mount.
The door frames made before sheeting makes for easy cutting of the doors with no addition work to be done, save hinging.
I left the gear inside the fuse to insure, while making the door frames, that the gear would clear the doors.
Some 100 grit sandpaper wrapped around a paint stick used to smooth out all the stringers and formers.
