The fuselage is done. I cut out for the motor clearance, rounded the edges, slotted for the battery straps, and finished shaping the fuselage nose area. As it sits with the canopy and motor mount is 6 ounces. 2 ounces under budget. I think everything is now built. Some detail sanding the entire model and then on to the Monokote.
To make the slots I laid out the holes about 5/32 apart and on each end of the slot. Then I used my 1/16 drill, then larger and larger then finally a 5/32 drill. I "connected" the holes with a pointed hacksaw blade, then used carborundum file to shape the slot. Took about 20 minutes.
Oh, I decided on almost the forward most canopy location. Probably very close to picture # 3 from above.
25 days from when I started it's almost ready for finishing.