I'm building one of these over this winter (well maybe part of next summer too - it's a big job and I have little ones at home to help take care of…!)

This is my first non-ARF build. Probably not super smart to take on such a complex build first time out but I can get lots of help from the Pro's at our club... 1/4 of our members scratch build from plans so they know LOTS. They had me convinced to do a scratch-build of something from plans only… but once I saw this kit and did some reading it seemed like a great project and a really great flying bipe at the end. Something I can be proud of at the end… Also it’s big, but not too big…

Just as a sanity check - here are my current plans:
1. Saito 180 w/Slimline muffler
2. Hitec HS-6975HB digitals on Ailerons and rudder (ailerons will be joined with CF tubes so only 2 servos will be used)
3. Hitec HS-6635HB digitals on Elevator 1/2's, some smaller servo mounted up by the engine for throttle
4. Elevator and rudder servos mounted in the fuse (not in the rear)
5. I plan to sheet back to the cockpit with thin balsa (I’ll sand carefully – I want this plane to be as light-weight as possible but still strong and smooth looking)
6. TNT Gear, glass the LG area
7. Stan’s fibertech cowl and pants
8. Lots of re-enforcing on the motor box, tri-stick and maybe some glassing too
9. Use bass-wood for the rudder post and tail spine weak spots
10. I was thinking to start with 0-0-0 incidences, or should the top wing be –1?

Questions:
I was thinking to sheet the elevators and rudder – at least the leading edges. What about aero-foiling these slightly too?

If sheeting the rudder/elevators is a good idea should I still use flying wires?

What should I do about the cabane struts that have failed for some people? Should I make new ones with a thicker material? Alternatively I was thinking I could solder some brass tube into the bend area where they have been breaking to re-enforce them?

Thanks for any help / suggestions!
Chris