Mike B. I bought a Starduster from a pile of old kits in the back of our LHS a few years ago. It was our second tail dragger and we learned a lot from it. My son and I flew it hard for over a year with a Saito .72, our first 4-stroke. I loved this plane, the ground handling was good but not forgiving, we had to STEER it with the rudder. But the rudder worked fine and that Saito made great responsive power, for slow flying or fast so we learned a lot about throttle control. I did put taller main gear on it as the stock gear was a little too short for propellor clearance with the 4-stroke, we used a 13-6. We flew the h---- out of it all summer and well into winter, then we had a 3 and a half month period where we couldn't get to our club field on account of deep snow. The first day that we could get back to the field and flying, dumb thumbs dad put the Starduster into the ground in less than a minute. It was a big loss for us, but we have recovered. I bought a simulator for us to practice, vowing never again to let the non flying months cost us so much. The Midwest Starduster is very similar to the 4-Star by SIG, so much so I wondered if it was designed by the same man, Bruce Tharpe. The plans say no, there is another name there. Bruce Tharpe also improved the 4-Star into the Venture which is another similar and great flying plane. If there is one thing I would dare to mention as an improvement, I would sheet the turtle-deck area behind the canopy to stiffen up the tail section. Ours was quite flexible there and I had to re-tighten the covering a couple of times, but no hint of structural failure. Good luck with yours. If you decide not to build it, let me know and I'll take it off your hands, I have a spare but slightly damaged wing out in the garage.

Best regards from old bird.