Hi badger: Sounds like you have had a few rough experiences with this plane. Hopefully, that is past and you can enjoy it in the future. What is the "fix" you are talking about in regards to the nose gear? Want to know in case I have that experience.

I haven't had much time to work on mine. All control surfaces are complete, the fuse and wing are now complete. I installed the upswept tips with screws from the outside
in case I get some hangar rash. I have also added a 1" wide strip of balsa from leading edge to trailing edge where the tip joins the wing. That way I can cover the tip installed
and have a "grab" site. I will cover the tips going out onto the wing( the 1" wide strip) about 3/4" on this strip and then when I cover the wing I will overlap it about a 1/4". If I have tip damage later, I can merely slice the cover down this added strip, remove and rebuild the tip and go on.

I have cut and installed 3/32" balsa from former F-4A (rear of canopy) all the way to the tip of the plane out over the horizontal stablizer on both sides.

I have the alieron and flap servos installed and the engine and receiver/battery compartment fuel proofed and painted with with LusterCote.

I am going to completely assemble the plane with all equipment, then laterally balance it and then remove whatever is necessary to cover.

I will post some pics tomorrow of the progress, so far. I have taken the pics, but the batteries in the camera need to be replaced before I can download then to the computer.

I have really enjoyed the flight reports you guys have been giving. The cowl is coming. I have the big block temp glued on and have
routed out the side pcs. so my .61 will fit. I wish they had come up with a fiberglass cowl for this thing.

Do any of you know where I can purchased some aerodynamic covers for the aileron servos?

Later

Jim V