ORIGINAL: Don M.
I would like to know how in the world you got yours UNDER 15 lbs. I too am putting a TS52 in mine and it weighs 12 lbs. WITHOUT the engine, prop, spinner, etc. So it will be 17+ It is bone stock with nothing than what is needed. I think your scale is wrong maybe.
the scale I used is not digital but it is new. I am sure it is close, It is not off by a pound,that i am sure. First of all I trashed everything that came in that bag of parts, all junk. forget about the pilot. I replaced everything with aluninium,carbonfiber and titainium, it adds up fast. Many builders, and I am not pointing a finger here, just stating a fact, don't know how to use glue. MY rule is if I can see it, I sand it off. Spinner is Carbon fiber, I am trying to find carbon fiber wing tubes, there is a ton in the tubes to be shed. Get rid of those sub-c nicd batteries, nimh is lighter. main gear that comes with the plane has got to go. Every gram counts. I have an Edge 540 that I removed 10 onces with the add of a cut off wheel and sanding drum. And the graphics are not needed if you really want to fly it not look at it.
Take a good look at that Bag of just they gave you. put it on your scale and divide by 2. That is what you will save if you buy good stuff. titainium, carbonfiber and aluninium.
I don't bathe the thing in epoxy, wipe off the excess.
by the way those metal hinges weigh 8 onces. and the stock fuel tank is heavy as well, trash the tank and get a dubro.
EVERY GRAM COUNTS