David:

No real disagreement with your safer setup for the Matchbox......I know guys here using that method......I still keep MB's off my elevators and stick with closely matched servos, one reversed if necessary, with a simple Y or 2 channels if I have them to spare.....as far as the other surfaces, I use MB's only when absolutely necessary.....just another potential failure point, IMO....

While I have seen allot of jets saved after failure of surfaces other than elevator, essentially all of the elevator servo failures on jets that I have witnessed have ended in disaster....one exception being my friend who saved his Eurosport at Superman 2003 after one of his elevon servos broke loose, leading to loss of both roll and pitch control on that side...the generous sized fin/rudder saved the day, but the pitch/yaw-roll coupling was hairy.....

Tom