The BLT was my second plane. A pretty good 3 channel plane which did handle some wind, as you've found. Flew steady when trimmed for straight and level.

I never went stock either, using a GWS 300 C box and a 9x7 prop right from the start on 8.4Volts. I bet the brushless is even nicer!

I don't know why Great planes doesn't change the design of the nose. I finally when to a solid stick like you, and built the front so it would be easy to replace. I'm surprised you didn't split the pylon either. If you ever rebuild that part, a light 1/32 sheet contact cemented cross grain will add enormous strength with little weight penalty.

If you used slow CA to glue the the tail to the fuse (balsa to plastic), when you get a chance, you may want to add some packing tape to the tail--an inch or less on the bottom of the horizontal stab and on to the side of the fuse--done to both sides. I'm not sure, but I still think one of my crashes was due to the tail coming loose--I know for a fact it wasn't pilot error and it didn't look like a glitch.