I have quite a bit experience with the Venus II and surface throws and expo.

Rates:
First off what ever you do not use high rates on the ailerons on your first few flights! What the manual recommends for low rates is perfect to fly this ship well and even allow very quick maneuvering out of a tight spot. In fact what the manual recommends for all the rates is dead on, use them. You may want to experiment with high rates on aileron after you get used to this plane. If this is your first pattern type aircraft you will be surprised at the quick response this ship has! On the elevators low or high rates is fine right from the start, but again you will be surprised at the ships willingness to obey your every command. Keep in mind when I speak of this I bilt my model so that the C.G. was exactly in the center of the range mentioned in the manual, not nose heavy or tail heavy. Also since I mounted the tank over the C.G. my trims stayed the same though out flight. Even after over 200 flights I still use only low rates on the ailerons until I get up high and plan on some wild maneuvers

Expos:
I flew about 25 flights without expo, then I tried expo (less than 20%), making only the ailerons less sensitive around the center. All other surfaces I did not add expo. After about 10 flights (a few flying sessions) I went back to no expo. I found it was really just a matter of preference. If the pilot does not have smooth fingers maybe expo is a good thing. I found no expo to be the most enjoyable. I recommend you start out with no expo and learn how this ship feels and then experiment. Just remember LOW RATES ON THE AILERONS until you get used to the plane.

Graceful flight
The Venus has continued to surprise me on its ability to fly at a good clip strait and fast like and arrow and do amazing maneuvers but yet throttle back and she is as slow flying and tame as a *****cat. There were time I swore I could catch this model in my hand (flying into the wind at low throttle) but don’t do that! There is a 14 inch prop spinning up front! One note, before you do any wild maneuvers be sure to throttle back. With the 120 AX you must exercise throttle management. Diving toward the ground I also throttle way back. She comes strait down dropping like an arrow. Pulling up elevator she comes right out in an instant and slows to a craw.

Visibility
The color scheme could not be any better. The top side is extremely attractive and always catches eyes. Flip her over and the dark blue immediately gives indication that you are inverted. This has saved me countless times when I am a distance out and doing maneuvers.

Build notes:
I always seal my hinge lines. I used transparent monokote on the Venus.
Although I could get way with less on the servos i used Hitec HS-6965 HB servos al the way around. (except throttle)
With the 120 AX, Bisson Pitts muffler and a Perry pump up front, servos in back tank over the C.G. I needed no extra balancing weight anywhere.