RE: Smaller versions of kits
I love small planes and big planes. 40-60 size is just ARF stuff. As mentioned go to the 1/2a forums. Rainedave, CombatPig, BobHH, and a whole slew of others will jump all over this question and tell you all the in's and outs of modifying plans and scratch building. Kinko's is your freind with scaling down plans.