Sounds like you got it somewhat closer to balanced- it will be slow to turn and not like high angles like overhead. It will also drop the nose when it quits, learn to hear it get ready to run out, and fly low and level, slid / plop it in and it will survive.
Fly it a bit that way and shake it down, fix the loose stuff, then start adding a bit of tail weight. You have to find a point where you can fly it, and the extra weight doesn't make it a pig. I lighter prop / spinner etc won't hurt either.
Most 1/2A's fly better w/o the landing gear, if you have someone to launch that won't toss it in the ground, or high and straight at ya! Catapult launch from a folding sawhorse / table thing with a built in stooge can work if you are solo.