Regarding the Brodak Zero: My suggestion - reduce to 320-350 Sq:. Mount Gear Fuselage (legal). Consider external controls,IE bellcrank on top of the wing w/ a cut out on the fuselage for clearance, external leadouts. Another plane this would work with is the Brodak p-51. I just finished one for stunt, slimmed it down, modified as a "D" model. To be legal this would have to be done to a carrier version.
Kit bashing carrier have a long tradition going back to Howard Motin's "Starjet" which was a jet styled carrier based on a Ringmaster wing. I have done two - a Goldberg/CLC classic "Buster" modified into an F6-F, internal controls similar to the "Spearfish, and a Devastator, out of a Shoestring Stunter(Thanks John Brownlee for that mod). That being said, if you are just getting started in carrier, by the CD, every carrier design is a lesson in how someone else met the challenge and is an education in itself. Also - the Brodak Guardian is one of the best designs out there. The instruction book in itself will give you some valuable info and techniques and is a great starting point and will prove to be VERY competitive, with or without line sliders (not recommended for a first time builder plane). John deserves much more credit than he gets for keeping 3 line bellcranks and handles available. Without these products, it would be very difficult to get started in carrier, but that is another topic.
And oh, the Yak 9 makes a great Airabonita. I drew it up once then traded away the kit before building. Wings, tail even fuselage very similar If Brodak reintroduces it I will probably build one. Thanks John. Last bit of advice: don't get too hung up on the latest greatest gadget, engine etc. Practice and consistency (and a 100 pt landing) will often land you in the top three when the faster/slower guys are treading water or never get out of the maintenance bay. My "Buster-Cat" has a wall of ribbons to prove it.