Mine is the older one. I just saw the new one a couple of days ago, WOW. H-9 did a fine job on the scale details, especially the wing struts, I have the supplied dummies (engine) on my plane now, but they don't look as good as the one you have.

Have you considered inverting your engine? The only issue you'd have with cutting the cowl would be with the supplied muffler. I had one of the older style ones, and ordered the old-style elbow, heated and bent it to increase the curve so it would exit the bottom of the cowl. Just make sure your tank height is low enough if you invert (Tank centerline about 1/4-3/8 inches below the spraybar height)