Don't despair, I just finished my Gold Edition a few weeks ago and flew it this weekend. I used an OS 61 with the scale header to keep it in the cowl, love the sound. Yes, the instructions are reeeeal vague on a few points, like gas tank installation, but hey....Here are a few tips I have for you:

Flaps: Good idea, but be careful. I built them as they instructed and had a hell of a time getting them to fit in there. The 1/64th ply strip that goes across the top as a cap strip can be a real pain - along with keeping it all straight so you don't have a gap with the flaps closed. I had so many problems getting everything to work, I just tack glued the flaps shut and land fast.

Retracts: If you're using them, plan them early. Although the instructions tell you to figure out the well liners later, do it before you do the bottom sheeting. I had to remove a lot of material to get the retracts to fit in their wells nicely, and there is no instruction or advice given on how to put the gear leg doors on. Also, no provisions are given in the plans to routing the air lines BEFORE you sheet, or have a way to get them in there after you sheet. Yes, they tell you to cut a 1/2 inch hole in the ABS center fairing for them, but divine intervention is required to get a blue and red Robart air line to snake through three ribs with no holes and around corners to end up in the retract wells.

Fuel Tank: Plan early and look long and hard for one that will fit in the space provided - and give you flight time. I could not find the recommended tank that would fit into that space. You will also need to construct a tank floor out of some scrap to keep the tank at the right level for your carb. The "hover technique" shown on the plans is a mystery to me.

Wing filets: No problem, just cut them a bit oversive and sand your way down to a good fit.

Fin/Stab alignment: Trial fit repeatedly until you get everything square. Not having the hole in the stab in exactly the right place can make it impossible to get your fin straight.

Wing/Stab incidence: If you don't have an incidence meter, borrow one. I didn't use the one I have and had a hell of a time getting my plane to land the first flight. Wing had too much positive incidence relative to the fuselage level line, made it want to climb too much.

With all of that said - it is a beautiful airplane. It flies wonderfully and is very aerobatic, and the hard work on the control surfaces is worth the attention you get at the flying field. My modifications will be to fiberglass the wing and paint it, but cover the control surfaces in a fabric covering like the real things. I will glass the wing because getting that center fairing in tight, and then covering are a pain.

Good Luck!!!