"First, build a wing with less radical tapers and sneak in some extra wing area."

Exactly my plan for an upcoming Sukhoi 29 ARC build. Already have the cores for a new wing, still tapered but with wider tips, which will considerably increase the wing area. It will be extra work and expense but in the long run will result in a better flying plane. I have some planform pictures of full scale Sukhois that show some pretty wide tipped, stubby looking wings. Unlike the wings on some (especially this one) models of Sukhois.

Terry in LP