OMG this is an impressive little project...Good luck with it and keep updating this thread.

I built the P-38 from K&A Models last year. It's fiberglass pod and booms with sheeted and glassed foam wing. It's powered by 2xspeed 480 geared motors and a 10 cell cp1700 pack. It's about 1/12 scale, 50" wingspan, 350 in sq.

Flying weight is a hefty 64 oz (yes, that's 4 lbs)....I've flown it a total of three times, at that weight and hand launched, I just can't get motiviated to fly it. After seeing your project, you got me thinking about it again.......

Here are some pics...