Thanks again gents!

baj, it must be your aircraft working the display circuit in Australia. I have watched videos of them on YouTube numerous times looking for clues about things like the retraction of gear and how much control throw to give the flap mounted ailerons. (very little is seems – that huge rudder seems to be the key to turning response).

My modelling skills (and tooling) are a severe restriction when it comes to metalwork, but while I can reasonably hope to replicate the slotted flap system at the scale I propose to build the model thanks to the photos that are available on the internet, I have somewhat reluctantly (but with relief having made the decision) decided that I have no chance of replicating the retract system used for the 1:1 aircraft. It is simply beyond what I can reasonably hope to achieve.

And my heavy landing indicator will be the rearward movement of the main wheels, due to the compression of the balsa rear wing spar in the nacelle – and entail a rebuild of the area in all probability!

The outline layout I propose gives a similar overall shortening effect, but as my main aim is to achieve the slow landing speed of the aircraft lightness is paramount… for the whole airframe.

Thank you all once again. Your response and interest is most gratifying.