Rory,

I am from New Jersey as well,

From your questions, it DOES sound like giant scale is a little new to you. Don Smith designs a great plane, but it is not for a beginner. My recommendation is for you to get a copy of the plans first and have a look at what you are getting into.

How do you transport it? You remove the wings. Typically people hang the wings in the trailer (not always) and tie down the fuselage (not always). Either way, you want the plane to be secure.

What comes in the kit? Depends who you get it from. Ask questions from the kit manufacturer about what comes in the kit, what woods are used etc. For instance, my kit includes aluminum tubes and sockets and such. Not all other people's kits do.

Mace Gill
The Aeroplane Works
http://www.theaeroplaneworks.com
(732)-356-8557