Just discovered this thread with all the useful information on CG in it!

I bought one of these some months ago and got maybe 6 or so flights in with it. Main problem I had was that the plane tended to dive as I opened the throttle. In view of what I have now read it seems likely that mine too may have had the CG too far back. Presumably if I was running down elevator to compensate an increase in speed would increase the effect of the elevator and push the nose down. Does this seem logical?

Mine has an MT57 in it which provides adequate power[>:] This was recommended as a combo by the place I bought it, however as others have suggested a 40 would be a better match. At 7 kgm it's no heavier than most though.

Last time out was a few months ago, due to a wheel pant coming loose the model tripped over on landing. It seems that the trip had broken the top off the rudder, but the missing part was nowhere to be found (this in the middle of the runway). In the end I had to conclude that it had in fact gone missing in flight. Rather than try a repair I tried to get a new one from CMP. After some effort and time I was eventually able to get one and fitted it a couple of weeks ago. The decals didn't quite line up but it looks a lot better than a repair!

Was all set to fly again but on checking it seemed that the muffler had exploded! That's the way it looked anyway, I eventually concluded that the outlet pipe had caught the ground when the plane tripped, and the distortion had forced the back of the muffler to peel out in a way that looked like an explosion.

So, as of now I am waiting for a new muffler. After reading this thread I am going to work on the CG before the plane gets out again.

Terry