I agree that hardware selection is important as well. To date we have mini servos that put out 140oz and battery tech that is much lighter. Somewhere around 2012 I did a full on weight reduction effort on a Lanier 1/3 scale Laser 200. First thing I did was use balsa for the fuselage sides. The final weight was 15 lbs on the nose, powered with a DA 50. Not bad for an airplane with a 97” span.
