I guess I saw the picture of Ed with his Taurus on the cover of Model Airplane News and just assumed the Simla also had sewn hinges. With film, I just cover the wing & aileron with a single piece on both sides, automatically sealing the gap - same with the rudder & elevator. When I think about how rapidly RC technology evolved back then, one has to be amazed. Things like a heavy radio with low-torque servos (he was multi by then, wasn't he?) and all of 500 mah battery. Not to mention tin fuel tanks, heavier wheels with rubber tires, and all the other components we now take as commodities (fuel line, pushrod connectors, even zip ties!).

"Motorized glider" sounds about right. I plotted various alternatives to the Simla build on a loading chart (attached), and they all came out in the "excellent" region - about where you'd expect to see a fun-fly plane or 3D foamy. Because of this I could see this Simla getting blown around a bit, and traditionally our winds don't die down until mid-May or even June. Will definitely update you on how it flies once the maiden happens.