I agree with you totally.
I think it would be rather sinple to beef up tha bottom of fus for fixed gear. I was /am thinking about that also, but a good friend who flys pattern told me I needed the experience with the retracts. So I haven't decided yet. I'm not sure what gear I'd want to use, and I just thought ,after reading your comment about nose weight, maybe I don't want to move the weight of the gear forward.

I hope to get my unassembled plane weighed this weekend - then I can start looking at location of servos and what motor etc. i'll let you know soon as I get the info.

Installing a 2stroke with a pipe would require some work.
But it wouldn't be too diffcult. Would want to build a pipe tunnel - the plane comes with a bottom hatch.

I'm not happy about the wooden motor mounts but am l looking forward to trying the motor mount. My friend told me the name of the guy that 1st used that type isolation, but I don't remember tha name. I don't even know how to describe the motor mount -when you get your mayeb you can furthert educate me.

I've been arround RC since 1978 but am a NEW participant to pattern - been an admirer from afar for a long time.

Sorry for the long post
Eddie