ok....i flew the 39Q minus the gondolas last night, as suggested by some.
what a friggin difference!!! she's still tough at higher altitudes, but i've got noticably better vertical, and she turns unbelievably at lower altitudes. the 2 50's have a harder punch than i'd have expected too. knowing i only have 400 rounds, is putting me back into my old habbits of just popping off bursts when i'm fairly sure of hitting, and not firing the cannon unless i'm very sure of a hit.