NJ,

When I say low and high rates I am talking about what the book calls for and they are plenty.

I cannot agree more that the SSE on LOW rates will make a great second plane for you. I say low rates because it's important. On high rates at about half throttle on a 46 turning a 11X7, level screaming across the sky, the roll rate will be a blur [X(] after about 3 rolls (it gets faster the longer you hold it). and the elevator will be somewhat sensitive, but not to the point of anything bad happening. I tried my hardest to get the plane to snap by throwing all the elevator it had at it at 3/4 throttle and it just went into a very tight loop. I do not suggest you try this unless you hold the wings on with something other than what the book calls for. It says to use rubber bands between the eye hooks in the fuselage, I used a wire tie since the plane fit into the bed of my Ranger nicelyand I never had to take the wings off. Other people use a heavy spring. Once you get it you will see what I mean.

As far as how tall the gear is, adstott is correct, it is a little short and an 11 inch prop will be just right, any more and it will hit the ground unless you keep the tail down all the way to takeoff and land in a 3 point attitude.

Several companies make CF and aluminum gear that is wider and about 1 inch taller which is what I did (CF Gear) and once the plane was on the ground it stuck there.

If you do try the roll on high rates, be very high up so you can have time to recover. The plane will stop rotation as soon as you let go of the ailerons. There is no tendency to over-rotate.

It is truly a point and fly plane and you will love it. Do a search for it here on RCU and you will see what I mean. I normally do not suggest it as a second plane but I have been following your progress and posts and you always seem to do allot of research and are very level headed about it before you make a move so I think you will do fine with it.

Oh and by the way, I owe you one for the joke