I went somewhat farther with mine. I cut about 2 inches off the rear of the fuse, put a ply plate on the bottom to mount a Sullivan tail wheel. I moved the horizontal stab forward so the rudder and elevator hinge line were the same. Then using balsa sheet the same thickness as the rudder and elevator I built a split elevator, and extended the rudder to the bottom of the fuse. I re-routed the push rods so the exited on the fuse sides. A little more work, but with a set of wheel pants you have a late 30,s early 40's looking plane. I used a 4* 120 gear for the main. Removing the rear fuse portion had no effect on the planes flight.