ORIGINAL: UStik

The MAN Taurus has the rearward c/g location given in the plan (says 4.75" to 5" behind center leading edge). It needs the slightly rearward c/g both for level-flight trim and for spinning. Despite the elevator throw even bigger than specified and the "terrific" (as Ed calls it) rudder throw, it doesn't spin in the forward c/g position and hardly in the rearward. The Nats Taurus is a bit more stable with the forward c/g position, is still trimmed for level flight, and with the rearward c/g position spins even docile. It's a bit more dampened as well.

I wouldn't sweat the flight characteristics in the simulator too much, they are simply adjusted as descibed by Ed so they can't be completely wrong. After all Ed himself says in the articles that even each model of the same type is slightly different. Now the simulator gives us one important benefit (compared to reality): We can make two models exactly the same and then modify only one parameter (e.g. tail cone length) to assert the differences in flight behavior (e.g. easier spin).