The Gladiator showed up yesterday. It looks pretty good. I get the impression that this was manufactured in the orient instead of europe. Either way they did a good job. The center rib block where the engine mounts is made fro that typical Lewan type mohagony that will compress and is really not suitable for engine bearing. What I will do is add a small strip of formica laminate to act as pads. This is how the Litehawks were built (Larry Driskall's design). It is a combat plane though and any extended life expectancy should not be expected.
The covering is a little wrinkled typical as well. nothing that does not look like it will come out though. I really like the bladder compartment. It is a small closed end tube. No chance for leak here. The overall impression is very good as it is light and I am sure it will turn well.
The weather has now turned bad here but as soon as I get a chance I will get in a flight and report on it. I will either start with an AME .061 or my really hot AME .049. I am on the waiting list for the next batch of Profi .049 engines which from what it sounds are the most powerful available right now. 42' lines will be in order when that arrives. This airplane is as big as anything that would have had a .15 on it years ago. Just goes to show how far we have come!