Dennis,
PLEASE!!!! Make the original flaps and the stitched canopy. Without those, it is not a Barnstormer.
Attached is a picture of the 'Stormer I built for the very first OTS contest. John Miske didn't mind that I extended the center sheeting some. In fact, I would highly recommend doing that since it has no effect on the aerodynamics. The picture was apparently from a slide and was printed reversed in Model Airplane News.... Gee..... they used to cover Control line
My Barnstormer used Banner wheels that are very rare today. Wheel pants would also dress up the airplane and would be legal since they to not change the aerodynamics of the airplane, and some were dressed up that way in the yesteryear..
Adding cap strips and solid flaps, and bubble canopies make the airplane a fraud.
I am glad that you will make the faired-in nose and spinner as on the box. I talked to John Miske about doing that and he said that he would love to see it. Unfortunately, I haven't had the time to build another Barnstormed that way. I built the Curtiss Swift in his honor instead.
There are other ways to strengthen the wing. You can make a D-tube type spar in-between the main spars , or shear webs that are completely invisible.
Great project,, keep up the good work.