just as an example of what you might try -- here is a foam model, under 7 ozs per sq ft (430 sq with huge power a 480Eflite) and using simple paper tape and CA to assemble and to attach parts
lightweight servo extensions allow the servo pushrods to be 4" long -all of em.
the model has a flight speed envelope of zero to rocket speeds and is extremely easy to control even for a beginner
th secret ?
light strong easy to repair - with something like this you can easily sort out the questions of cg and how it affects flight --without having a model which is a drag to fly. (It is now painted and so is a lot better looking ) as a bonus -you will discover that the flat plate wing is the best shape for low speed flight at low wing loading
I whacked this out of two sheets of 6mm Depron -in a couple of hours .
One other secret -
all of the years of hard work trying to design best airfoils -- for powered craft -- was simply because power plants weighed too much for the power produced
doubt it?
look at modern fighters ---