I'm getting a new Pitts muffler with the engine. Not the Bisson, I recognize the other major brand but cannot recall the maker. Its the better of the two, IMO.

The first thing I'm going to do is make another complete firewall that will screw/glue right over the kit part. Probably three thickness hard plywood (NOT "lite ply"); I was going to make it from five ply for a four stroke, but IMO a good, smooth two stroke doesn't need as much to absorb vibration.

I've got some 3/32" square spruce wood that should be enough to firm up that balsa/foam area; I can get some thicker spruce if that's needed. Fortunately, we have a very well-supplied and complete hobby shop here; their wood supply alone is outstanding.

Once the engine gets here, I'll pretty much have everything else needed; six good Futaba 9252 digital servos (and a 9151 digital for rudder use if I think its needed), a brand new Futaba R6008HS eight channel 2.4 receiver, plenty of varied-length Futaba extension wires, two new EMS battery switch set-ups with battery charging/checking jack next to the switch. I also have a couple of really nice tail wheel units; may replace the kit tail wheel with one of them.

I will buy a new receiver battery; don't have any relatively new ones, no need in taking a chance on that. I just had Tony Stillman build me a new transmitter battery set for my Futaba 9Z. I've had two of them for 15 years, both the latest WC2 versions. I love them; and still think they are better radios than most of the higher-priced models selling these days. I have never had the slightest trouble with either of them. I do have a Futaba 12Z that I use on all the electric planes I have. I have since gotten a 2.4 module for the 9Z, but I still use it on the glow engine models. The wide bought the 12Z for me at Xmas some time back... important to her that she sees me use it still.

Anyway... looking forward to assembling this puppy.

What about the CG? I seem to recall that the two-stroke engines can make the plane tail-heavy if you're not careful placing everything... because they are lighter than four strokes in that size, of course. You have any problems there?

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