Paul, do you mean like it was was having a fight with the air to stay up, slow with its tail hung low or just slow because of the airspeed.

The first time I put it up the G23 sounded so good on the ground, but in the air it all went to s$%t shortly after takeoff. Didn't think it was going to make it around to land it, and it didn't quite make it back to the field. Minor damage. Got the engine looked at by one of the true small gas engine masters we have in the area and after some internal adjusting on the carb it was running much better. It flew fairly good then, but still there was the tail heavy feel. Took some of the lead out of its tail it became a great flying airplane gaining power each flight. It seemed to fly along at a fairly fast clip. I was surprised at the vertical it would have doing a stall turn and the diameter of loops it would do.

Flew it for about 12 hours and now I have robbed the G23 to go on an Ultra Stick. Motor seems to still be breaking in and gaining power.

One thing you need to watch out for is the langing gear blocks can get loose and need to be reinforced. My right one almost broke out, but never had to do anything to the left one. They need to be braced back to the spar and not just glued to the balsa. Its fun doing touch n goes. I did have to increase my elevator throw to get it to flair good so thats another I think I liked the flying with forward CG. With it back a little the elevator would have had a lot more authority.

I don't know if this rambling has answered any of your questions or not but maybe it has helped a little.
Ed M.