I just threw mine on the digital scale, after making sure it's reading correct, calibrated weights are great for getting the real weight of something. I must say, it's over by about 8 ounces, but I haven't lightened anything up yet, I plan on removing some useless weight here and there, I did replace some weak wood with 5 ply birtch and in the places that never needed the extra streingth, will be removed carefully. just so I don't remopve the structural integrity of the plane. The final weight with the cowl,wheel pants and canopy (uncut from the molds) is 5.75 lbs. I can say very easily that the final weight will come to about 5.5 without any lightening on my part, it will fly great at that weight, but I want to see 5 lbs if possible. Areas to lighten, the lower rear bottom plate, top rear plate (just a smidge), the front former for the turtle deck( big excess weight) and a little from the sides going from the rear of the wing saddle to the tail. So if I trim away all the excess plastic on the ABS parts and use dubro 3" foam wheels, along with the diet I put it on after assembly, then add the covering, it should endup around 5 lbs max, with all the mods and reinforcements. Of course, if it flies like it's underpowered, I can always throw the webra 50 in it.

BTW- the horn used on the rudder is recessed, I slid it in place, checked the alignment from the exit holes to the rudder fin, then marked the outline on the rudder, next you trim away enough material to make it sit flush with the leading edge and in my case, flush with the surface on each side as well. I harden all surfaces with CA and the screw holes to prevent crushing of the balsa when tightening the 2-56 screws. Makes a nice and neat "finished" install when done. I think your starting to see that building is not only rewarding and fun, but makes you realize alll the little things you can do to make something better than the last plane you had. I guess it's kinda like the movie, "pay it forward", we all seem to give away little tid-bits to the next guy and don't ask for anything, but the real recipiants are the planes, they just get better and better as we go along.