I'm getting ready to start my Senior Telemaster kit build too. I have only gotten as far as reading the manual, which also leaves something to be desired, and contemplating what mods I wish to incorporate. I probably won't get started with actual construction until I get back from holiday travels. I hope to begin over New years weekend. I agree that the wood quality and die cutting is not up to the standard of say a SIG Four Star kit, but I've surely suffered through worse. I think the worst I ever encountered was with a Jemco, fun-scale Mustang kit I built back in the 80s. The wood/die cutting was so poor that the grain of the balsa ribs was litterally crushed. Like their die was about as sharp as a butter knife. I did manage to make those crappy parts into a very nice flying airplane though. It is frustrating to spend over $100 for a kit and encounter sub-par materials when you open the box. I'm trying to decide if I am going to leave any dyhedral in the wing, or build it flat. I'm at least going to reduce it considerably and revise the wing to incorporate flaps and different ailerons, barn-door style ailerons about 3-3.5" wide and reduce the length by about 25-30% to allow for a good-sized flap setup.

I'm putting this little 18cc gas engine up front.