At that time Balsa USA sold the kit, a Quarda 35 gas engine and cover-rite covering (15') (fabric), the radio I got from Hobby Shack a 7 channel Circius. I did paint the covering on both planes. You will get better with practice, I have been building and flying RC airplanes since '73.
When were you in the Navy and where were you stationed? I started out in the USNR and was on the USS Benner DD 807 out of Long Beach Cal. Too much water and too much time at sea, for this Okie Boy. I joined the USAF after I was discharged. I was an aircraft Loadmaster from 1966 to 1972 flying on C-130E, C-141A and the C-5A. After the war (lost some friends) I got tired of living out of a bag and cross-trained into Civil Engineering. As time went on I got my degree as a Structional Engineer. I retired after 26 years and with to work for Northrup at Vance AFB. I must say I enjoyed all of it, the good times and the bad times.
Rich