Here are a couple more shots. I still have to move the battery back to balance it, but right now it weighs a bit over 14lbs.

I don't think it would be easy to remove the stock graphics without going into the paint. Can't say I tried it though. I have repainted CMP planes before, just sanded them a bit and painted right over with Testors cans, then coated the whole thing in Polyurethane. Very durable. My wing decals on the 109 are painted over with polyurethane, and you can't even see the difference between them and the stock flat paint. I also painted the yellow with testors, then coated with minwax polyurethane in the spray can (only use the oil base in the gold can).