I am going to have to build my Raven. John, you have gotten me fired up.
I have, however, the opposite trend in regard to weight, in mind. My idea is to build the lightest scale model I can.
My plan is to use very little ply or lite ply, only for the motor mount and gear mount. Use light balsa as I would in a Stunter, stunt style bellcrank, electronic throttle and smoke and have as few servos as possible, (2) thus a smaller and lighter battery. I figured mine would weigh 85 ounces, (5 1/3 pounds) painted and trimmed.
Like Doc suggested John, spend your time now doing the necessary stuff to match the documentation. A quick look at any Extra picture is that there are no open bays anywhere on one. My Global kit has a bunch of open areas on the wing, which of course was solid carbon fibre sheeting. I will sheet the entire wing (not with hard 3/32nd though!). The tail on the Raven is flat and fabric covered steel tubes, so I have to redesign it so as to make it look like the prototype. Etc...
That is a really cool looking model. My original thought was to build a Byron Extra in the Gene Soucy scheme, but then met Wayne Handley at the Reno Air Races and decided that was for me, plus the Global kit was so much lighter and CHEAPER!
Have fun, send more pics.
Chris...