Yeah I had that feeling too, it is very thick and stiff which is probably why it tears, jsut too brittle.I just got mine finished last night and should be maidening it today as well.I set the throws on it as high as I could then mixed exponential on one setting of my transmitter and dual rates that half the throw plus exponential on the other setting which is what I will start with.I guess the main thing I am worrying about for the maiden is parts flying off at high speed, I had that happen to a cheap plane once and I am just paranoid now.That and CG is a big part of it that scares me, I have lost a few planes to CG that was off too far, back too far usually.This one is set up slightly nose heavy so I should be fine.The more I look at the plane the more I think my Saito 100 would be a good match for it, but it feels like a light plane once it is built, so either way it should be a nice flyer.

Also I have heard that Giles tip stall easy, I am not sure if this one does or not as all rc planes seem to be different.A Decathlon is a good example of that, most of the Decathlon models tip stall badly and the Goldberd which I have doesn't.Then I have a Goldberg Extra which is supposed to be a great flying plane and it is a death trap it tip stalls so easy.

As far as the connectors it came with they were some kind of white plastic clevises with a metal rod through them and the metal broke on one I was putting on, so I ditched those and used some other plastic ones I had.The only problem is that the rod they include has a different thread on it than my clevises but luckily I could use some plastic ones I had as they are good for "rethreading" and not stripping.

How much throw do you have on your elevator when you say you don't have much anyway?I am not sure if I measured the throw right, I just stuck a ruler up to the elevator and moved it and measured from center and the recomended throw barely even moved it, the throw I have was something like 70mm I think instead of their 15-20 or 20-30 which didn't seem like it would be enough to hardly fly around safely much less do a loop or something.The rudder is set to move enough to line the rudder up even with the elevators rudder cut outs.

Also as far as the cover and as nice as it is, I think if worst comes to worst I will just recover it and I am trying to just prep myself for that time so I don't cry too hard!
I may try to silk span it too, I love the look of silkspan, no wrinkles and it shrinks very tight as well.They have very realistic paint colors too, monokote is always very bright not like most real planes.

Well I will let you know how the maiden goes and if it survived.[X(]
I have been having such bad luck with planes doing weird things lately I am nervous, and the plane is just so nice looking I would absolutely hate to see anything happen to it.