Rabe really did great work -no doubt about it
He made scale like models which wre fully competitive in the ukie stunt arena
In today's market --the Chinese are doing some exceptional work --based on costruction methods we only dreamed of for years
cutting with a laser allows for ANY shape desired -replete with interlocking pieces which do not rely on glue.
Some of these guys are amazing.
having started -like many, with a saw and a knife and crummy "balsa which had grain going in all directions - I graduated to selecting woods which had grain that could be used to increase strength
Now the laser techniques allow use of thin very light cheap plywood cut as noted, however the design dictates.
Also foamed plastics of all types can be inclued to dampen resonances etc..
I am in hog's heaven now , using some of these techniques .
My next effort, is in doing competitive electric designs which work with the new A123 bateries
These things offer cheap reliable power with little risk .

the absence of vibration allows lighter structure than when using engines .
Scale models which once were simply grossly overweight can be done at half the wing loading .
The old excuse "Warbirds have to be heavy to be scale like " can be kicked aside.