Let's see if I can help here...

1. No there is not a better manual. However there is a GREAT Bobcat 50 thread here that addresses building the Bobcat, and there are many tips there for the Falcon 1.20 as well. There is also a separate Falcon 1.20 thread worth looking at.

2. The servo leads can be rather long. There are specially made leads for giant scale planes that feature thicker wires, RF interference coils and amps.
I picked a handful of these up at the Toledo show, but I'm sure that you can find them on the net. You'll need at least 2-4 of these for the tail.

3. This is a heavier plane than stated once built. On any plane with retracts you are always advised to step up to retracts made for the next larger size.
Look for retracts that are suitable for a 1.40 to 1.60 size plane, preferably with a shock absorbing mechanism.

Regular retracts without shock absorption, can easily be ripped out by the lateral lever moment of the plane in a rough landing or when moving quickly and transitioning from say Asphalt to grass. The sudden impediment to forward motion tends to either bend the gear or rip them out at the mounting blocks.

Re-inforce and improve the mounting blocks when possible, and check out the Falcon 1.20 "Turbine" thread.

Be advised that the gear are going to cost as much as the airframe!

4. You can fly the plane with a good 2 cycle 1.20 glow engine or larger. Some people use the O.S. 1.60 to give this plane a lot of power.

You would need a big four stroker to match the H.P. output of one of those engines, so that might be problematic.


Check out this thread:

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4588799/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm]Bobcat 50 Thread.[/link]

And this thread:

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5913492/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm]Falcon 1.20 thread.[/link]