Well I wish I had better news....but this model is dead. I need to build another, and make some tweaks before I do.
Second "maiden" went marginally better, only insofar as it actually got going forward, and I made a few turns, but it was still
way off. It still had a CG problem, but I started noticing some other weird behaviors as it picked up speed.
The CG for this flight was forward of where it was last time, so I had better control in pitch. However, it was ALL over the sky laterally. I think it is a combination of the giant nose (right behind the prop no less), and the tiny tail. These two things together are incredibly destabilizing in yaw.
Secondly, the high-mounted prop (high on the fuse, that is) has a bit of a ramp as it transitions to under to the belly. I suspect that this ramp is getting pressurized by the powerful prop, generating lift forward of the wing - THIS is the primary reason why I think the "normally safe" CG location is not working out as expected.
The real SK3 is a lot more rounded and streamlined, especially on the nose, so I need to come up with some solutions to either 1) Round the nose more, or 2) Move the CG even further forward.
Either way, the tails need to be upsized a tad, especially the vertical to combat the giant schnoz. Also, it really does need a rudder. This airplane just doesn't work as a bank-n-yank.
I'm learning a lot, which I take as a win.... I just wish I hadn't broken the stuff I can't fix (namely the motor, this last crash bent the shaft)