FWIW: I disagree that fiberglass is too heavy. .56-oz glass is thinner and takes less matrix that some other coatings, and my tests show that with fiberglass attached with the right amount of epoxy or dope, it can weigh less than silkspanned surfaces. I've posted this before, with data and photos. I know it's too late, but the fuselage would be less flexible with laminated balsa grain applied longitudinally (fore <-> aft) and really stiff torsionally with glass applied over it biased at 45 degrees. Dope application is easy and less messy, but sheets of glass or silkspan can float, while applying glass to squeegeed epoxy will not do so, and the glass/epoxy is noticeably stiffer. You can use 1/16" plywood butt-jointed to 1/16" balsa with a slanted seam and not have an appreciable stress-riser. - SK