Britton, A wood prop helps with weight a little bit although I don't personally use them. Too hard to repair. But you can save at least an ounce, maybe two. Also, I always look at the tires. I can't honestly remember what tires come on the UCD40. I put the super lite DuBro tires. They weigh about 3/4 oz for both of them. Mine weighs 5 lbs 14ozs. That's the best I could do without going to light weight servos. I use metal gear servos. But I think the plane flys good and is very responsive at this weight. I use a Saito 82 but soon to be 100. I think anytime you are under 6 lbs with this plane it is fine. But I agree, lighter is better.

I read a pretty neat saying over on the pattern thread. "Nose heavy planes fly bad. Tail heavy planes fly once." I thought that was pretty good.
Thanks.
Barry