Thanks to you all for your input and suggestions. Ed, that's the best explanation I've heard yet and your reply makes very good sense. It's not being built for aerobatics but I'll certainly use the info I gained here on the aerobatic bipe I'll build next

The Stearman does have quite a bit of stagger, about 30% of the cord. Thanks for the tip about the stab incidence too. I hadn't even considered it.

The wings and tail feathers are framed and covered and the fuselage is ready to receive the radio gear and engine.

Thanks again to everybody for the ideas and help

Cuban8