O.k. I can pick up some of the slack. I won't be able to give the professional build thread like Pat would have, but I'll let you know how the build goes. Tonight I got a good look at the plane. The general design and construction of the plane is perfect IMO. Nothing is too heavy or overbuilt. The cover job is superb. The cowling is a shade lighter in color, and it's a nice sturdy piece. The cowl slides on and down into ply hooks on the bottom. Two bolts hold it on top like the new style Wild Hares. My cowl-ring needed a little re-glue on some parts of the ring. I've heard the next shipment will have a one-piece cowl-ring.

I tri-stocked the corners of the engine box. After glueing the tri-stock in place, I soaked thin CA into the balsa to harden it up. It may or may not have needed it, but I feel the ounce of tri-stock will help keep the glue joints tight for a long time.

Next, I mounted the 3M/TOC 53 engine. Stand-offs in the area of 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" will do fine. The entire engine fits inside of the cowl. A pipe or cannister is tempting because of the built in glass tunnel, but I'm going with the stock TOC 53 muffler. I think the only needed hole will be for the exhaust outlet. It will make a great looking plane.

Tomorrow I'll repair the wings that the brown truck damaged, and hinge the control surfaces. I should have the entire day to work on it. So, check in to see how it is coming along.

P.S. These planes get better and better with each new model, however, it may be hard to improve on this one.