The overall weight of the plane, ready to fly less gas, is 13lbs 5ozs. The CG balanced right at 5 7/8" with the radio gear just as you see in the picture. First try. I just left it there. The book says 5 3/4" but I read in the review of FLYRC magazine that he moved his CG back to 6 1/2". So I should be ok.

I'm very pleased with the build quality of this plane. The only real problem I had was with the rudder pushrod. It is so close to the elevator servo and the elevator itself that I couldn't get a straight shot at it. So I couldn't use my standard carbon fiber pushrod. I ended up going with a ball joint with it reveresed on the servo arm and making a "Z" bend in the steel 4-40 rod of sorts. Seems to work ok. But then...I haven't flown it yet.

Another concern I had was the way the stab glues on. There isn't much area for the glue to hold to. I went with the stock set up and I used Gorilla glue. It seems to be very secure, so far. But again...I haven't flown it yet. Other than those two items the build was easy and straight forward. It took me 3 months. That's considerably longer than the 20 hours the manual says. Ha Ha. It was my fault. I just kept dragging on this one for some reason.

The manual says 12-14lbs. I'm using the EVO Gas 45 engine and my actual weight is 13lbs 5ozs. I don't use the pants but every thing else is factory stock. I use medium weight battieres. My radio battery is 4ozs, my ignition battery is 4.5 ozs. All of my servos are digital Hitec HS5945 and 5645. My throttle servo is HS625. I also installed a servo (F3004) to use for a choke servo and engine kill.

I'm very pleased with the quality of this plane. Great Planes has really stepped it up in that area. This plane is nice. I'm sure all their "performance series" planes are the same way. Everything built very level on accurate. The weight is right on and the balance is optainable with little effort. You have a choice of Glow or Gas and you have precut servo slots for either way you build it.

Doesn't get any better than this...but agian...I haven't flown it yet.

Thanks
Barry