I just finished building the Midwest Stearman. The kit was great. The wood was the right grain for each application.the plans were simple and easy to follow.
They suggest 20 oz of lead in the nose,the fire wall, to balance but I found out that if you place the weight in the front end of the cowl you can get by with half the recommended amount. The extra weight didn't make any difference in it's flying ability.

I used an OS 90 four stroke and it flew very scale like. Be sure and build it with both upper and lower ailerons

My only complaint was they used one sheet of plans. Utilizing both sides. This makes it dificult to work on tail feathers and wings at the same time.

Flies like and angel. It will loop and roll but rather subdued.