Hey Rick,
Now is the time to buy a flight hobby kit. The yen to $ exchange rate is very favorable; today about a 37% discount. I buy from RC-Japan, they are great to deal with.
Flight Hobby kits are top quality as you can see in this build thread.
T-cans definitely increase rudder authority. Pattern moving to constant, generally slower, speed; more ‘gadgets’ are needed to provide aerodynamic assistance.