I built a Byron Staggerwing in 1990 - and still have it in flyable storage. I built it as the orignal full-kit-concept from Byron, with the (then very popular, and probably only available large model commercially available gasser) Q-35. It was built per the plans with a 6' right thrust. That was accomplished via a wood wedge between the Byron mount and the firewall, and the whole thing was off center to port so that the prop hub would be centered in the cowl. Mine weighed 18 pounds and it needed about 1/2 lb of wheelweights in the tail cone to get it balanced. Never had any troubles - the plane flew very, very well. It was a bit getting used to on the takeoff run, but I solved that with exponential on the rudder. The Q-35 is heavy for the power you get, but it flies it very realistically with enough power for acro too. It flies like a pattern plane, very stable, on rails. Flaps on the lower wing and ailerons up top is correct for the G-17S. I always took off with the flaps down just a little for margin, and on landing, full flaps were about 40 degrees - it will balloon on you, so mix in some down elevator, about 5 percent. I used all standard servos, but doubled them on elevator. No issues with the retracts either - plenty strong. Only caution - if you choose to use a soda bottle for an air cylinder, wrap it with fiberglass packing tape for safety. These days, there are large scale air reservoirs available or you can install 2 standard tanks on a tee fitting. I also installed airline reducers in the return lines to the mains to slow the gear to realistic speed. Originally, when they went up or down I thought they would go straight up thru the cockpit they went up so hard and fast. Coming down I thought they would eject off of the plane. Slowing them down saves you that worry, and it looks real too. It was (and is) a great model. If Iron Bay decides to ever offer them again, I may just have to have a 'do- over'.

Good luck - please post some videos of her!