Okie dokie, some updates on this.... I figure i'd let you guys know how things have gone.
First couple of flights were completely disheartening. I couldn't do an outside loop with it to save my life, it would literally try to fall out of the sky! I spent some time playing with the handle, thinking I could get by with a couple tweaks, nope. I was feeling like a failure.
To the chagrin of my girlfriend, I commandeered the kitchen table (glass top and I could work 360* around the ship) for an evening. I leveled the table, then blocked her up on the table looking for anything that was way out of whack. I mean, I was on the other side of the Atlantic compared to where I needed to be. Everything was within a millimeter or two of where I needed to be, not even close to what I was looking for. ugh.... OK, on to the next.....
During this, I received a call from Bruce Perry, who was reading about my troubles via facebook (gasp!). After much discussion, and agreeing that my numbers made sense (though, he wasn't a fan of the mm or two out of whack, but agreed it shouldn't be enough to be completely unflyable) he asked what prop I was running. I had a master airscrew 11.5x5 on it (i think that's what it was). "Bingo, 90% of your problems". Turns out, while that airscrew looked sweet with the paint job, they are a joke for stunt. Lesson learned! I swapped it out for an APC 12x6, on top of not being a wuss with the CG and added some weight to the tail (it's supposed to have a fox 35, and a half inch prop extension... I didn't use an extension and the motor is a Jett61), NIGHT AND DAY! I have something I can work with!
Last night, I went for longer lines. I was running 60' eye to eye, and moved to 66' eye to eye. Wow, night and day again! I didn't feel nearly as cramped in the circle, and made maneuvering much more civilized. Handling was so confidence inspiring enough that I ventured out of the beginners pattern a bit, adding in what resembled a reverse wing over, the 6 inverted laps, outside squares, and square 8's. This is also an incredibly easy ship to take-off and land with, it's the first time I managed a nice long roll-out, and a smooth climb that lasted the entire lap. landings are great as well!
Next season is going to be fun
Time to winterize her, hang her up, and break out beaters to stuff learning the rest of the pattern! Intermediate, here I come!