Glad to hear your two birds flew well since I'm a bit concerned about the elliptical wing.  Used the original NACA airfoil, and modified camber and twist on the outboard panels as closely as I could understand its written description.  Risk of being a tip-staller if it's not right which could make for very nasty habits.

I appreciate any advice with the Saito.  This is my first model with a 'gas' engine.  All my previous powered model experience has been with glow engines.  I designed the model around the Saito because it packaged so nicely.  Unfortunately, some on-line comments about it have expressed reliability problems.  Have your experiences with this engine been positive?

Great looking model is it your own design?

I built a skinny scale Val that was published in the March 2007 issue on Model Aviation here is a link to the artical:http://library.modelaviation.com/ma/2007/3/skinny-sc ale-world-war-ii-val-200703

I had no problems with the elliptical wing Tip stalling or any other bad habits. I used a NACA 2415 airfoil and the wing loading was very light. I think the light wing loading was the major factor in the planes behavior.

An unreliable Saito?  I wouldn't pay any attention to the internet forums.  Just follow the manual.  I'd bet be pretty confident in betting that they just have it tuned poorly, or there is something dodgy in their setup external to the engine.