All i did to mine was put metal pushrods in, and a different tailwheel on. I didn't glue the cardboard wing tube in the fuse, so i could take the gas tank out. I want to get a taller landing gear, my 12*4 prop is now an 11 1/2*4. You will love this plane, keep the rates really low for the first flight.
Heres mine, I am getting an aluminum spinner, the blue one was just so i could fly.