I have the Cougar about finished less painting.

The kit is of average quality. Certainly no BVM kit. It will be a good looking airplane when completed - but BIG!

CJM is flying theirs with a AMT Mercury turbine (or at least were the last time I saw it). Personally I don't think that is enough turbine. I am going to use an AMT Pegasus - 28 pounds of thrust. Bypass and thrust tube from Tam. It looks like the weight will be in excess of 30 pounds plus. But then I built heavy.

If they are still using the single flat wing spar, it just is not enough to hold the airplane. I added a second flat spar aft of the one they used. I think the whole spar arrangement must be changed for more strength. Two round spars would be much better. I think you could buy the wing cores unsheeted and develope the spar structure yourself - that is if they are still using a single flat spar.

The retracts I purchased with the kit look very good but I am not sure if they were made by Century or not.

They originally supplied Glennis wheels and brakes which would be my last choice. Getting parts and tire replacement is very slow with Glennis. First choice would be BVM in scale wheels. If scale wheels are not crucial then TRIM makes great product at less than one-half the price of Glennis and BVM. Glennis uses plastic bearings instead of brass and a "Rube Goldberg" braking mechanism. One respondant had problems with BVM wheels and brakes. BVM holds a VERY tight tolerance between the axle and bronze bearing. Unless maintained properly they will lock-up as will the Glennis product. The respondant said the BVM brakes would not hold. This is the first time I have heard of this. He may of had a problem he did not know how to correct. I know they are selling Interairco wheels and barkes now. I do not know what brand of scale wheels they are furnishing.

If I were to purchase the airplane now I would buy the bare basic kit. You can buy a better grade of hardware a peice at a time. You can do much better.

If you want to chat on the phone we can arrange a time.