RE: Sig Kougar Build
The nose does require quite a bit of shaping. To begin with, I use a small block plane...my favorite is a Stanley that's about 2" long or so. Quite small really. I shave off the excess balsa down to a point where I can follow that with a Permagrit coarse and then using fine grit to finish it.
That little Stanley block plane is the best $10.00 I've spent on just about any tool, and I have 3 others in that same size but don't work as well.
Right now I'm finish sanding the fuse and have a couple small gouges to fill and it will be ready for covering. With a plane like this, I like to use 600 grit for final sanding. If you can find a grain filler that is compatible with film coverings, that would make a difference as well. Last night I tried the technique of lightly misting the balsa with water to bring up the fuzzies and then sand it down again with finer grits. It seems to be working so I'll continue on that method.
The wing still waits its turn which is today.
cheers jollyroger