Additional photos

Lookin' good so far Tom.

May I suggest a few procedures.

I would do a lot more sanding before I started covering. Let's start with the stab first. We've had the best performance with Pathfinders when we airfoiled the stab. Blunt as you have it, will work, but may not have the groove we like to see.

The fuse looks like it could use some sanding, to soften up the angles.

So far, all the Pathfinders I've built from the kit, have balanced with no additional trim weight, or has needed some tail weight. I'll be interested to see how yours trims out. Using the method you have is a good one, and strong to boot though.

Whatever method you decide to use to cover, do it when you've finished the final sanding. Silk, Silkspan, or Polyspan are all good ways to cover for a paint finish. There are other methods, of course, but from your post, I suspect a painted finish is what you would most like.

If the wing and stab are not already glued in place,  I would cover them before installing them. In any case, even if they are glued into place, start with about 3 coats of thinned dope, wherever the covering will touch the frame work. Do the same to the fuselage. Cover the fuselage with medium silkspan, or silk. With the 3 coats of dope already on the framework, you can use thinned dope, about 60 to 70 percent thinner to attach the moistened silk or silkspan. Poly span is attached dry, and best used on the flying surfaces.

Some like to use Nitrate dope for the first stages of attaching and filling the covering. Others like to start with Butyrate from the beginning. I prefer the latter, as I like the protection from fuel leaks underr the covering.

No matter which way you go, remember this. Butyrate will go over Nitrate fine, but the other way around will cause so many problems, it makes my head ache.

From this point on, there are so many ways to go. You need to decide if you want an all dope finish, or an auto finish, or,,,,,

If your Pathfinder is straight, and it looks like it is, you'll like the way it flies. I think you're wise to not try a super finish. It might make you afraid to really fly the plane because you fell in love with the finish.

Best of luck.