I've never built a shrike, but I think you're correct. It looks like those blocks should be glued in place, then sanded to shape... They're too thick to bend as far as I'm concerned. Study the plans carefully to determine if you should glue them in like the first picture, or the second picture, or somewhere between (flush with the center of the curve).

Looks like you'll be making some sawdust, that's for sure... I hope you enjoy it. I do actually, I find it relaxing and satisfying to sand a nice smooth aerodynamic shape. Start out with some 80-100 grit sandpaper (on a sanding block) to get it to shape, then smooooooth it out.

Keep posting, I'd like to see a Shrike build - I may have to do one myself... What powerplant is going in it?

-Todd