Just because I had some issues does not mean it is not worth looking at. I bought another one to replace my first one. The covering sucked and the instructions were useless (which set me up for CG issues) - but the structure and overall flight characteristics are excellent. This plane is very strong, as was clearly demonstrated by my 3-4 weeks of constant punishment. I was purposely trying to break it and I could not. Power dives, downward full power snaps, walls, you name it I could not break it. I finally managed to damage it while doing a set of full speed snaps to hover at a relatively low altitude (50') .. the rudder failed when the hard point pulled out.. on its descent the rudder began to flutter and the plane was heading straight toward the ground! I immediately killed the engine and pulled full elevator.. I managed to stall land (parachute) the plane without any damage to the engine, electronics, or prop. The gear plate broke off (again) and the wheels punched holes in both wings. The tail also cracked from all the flutter but all the equipment was saved.... not a scratch! Even the CF gear were still good (Thanks Graphtech!) Had I not been so low I am sure the plane would have been repairable. As is I could fix it but decided to retire it instead.

I bought a new BME Edge from a guy in Tucson (a bargain $300) and did everything to it I should have done to the first one. I completely stripped it and recovered it, I spaced the engine out fully, removed some weight in the tail, converted to a CF stab tube, used Kevlar pull-pull cables, etc, etc. I covered it the exact same as my first one.. so noone even knows the first one died! I also did a lot of beef work to the gear plate (fiberglass and balsa gusseting), that area fell apart on the first one. I also tossed the stock wheel pants and put GP Patty pants on - much better quality. I reinforced all the cowl drill holes as well.

I now have a plane that weighs 16 pounds even and balances at 4.75 from LE, that is about 28% MAC. You can really feel the 1/2 pound of less weight.

It flies a lot better than my first one, is definitely lighter, and just as strong (looks better too with a real cowl on it) I really like the way the plane flies and looks in the air. If flies much bigger than it is. As it comes out of the box however I could not live with it - it was ugly and had balance problems. If you like to tweak ARFs and customize them however, the foundation is there for an excellent airplane.

If you want a true ARF - don't want to touch it or expect it to balance out of the box without adding more weight, definitely go with the TOC or EF Yak. If you don't mind some work or you like to tweak you models , then the BME Edge is still worth looking at.

I have to say the abuse sessions are what sold me. I have never had a plane hold up like that. I now know I can fly as aggressive I want to and it's going to hold up.
DP