I've modified the sim model to remove the forward fuselage and engines. In my prior demo the forward fuselage was there, but I'd removed its weight along with the engine weight. The fact that the fuselage was still there meant the sim calculated airflow around it, and this apparently led to the high somersault the sim showed. The sim treated it as being very long and light. With the forward fuselage missing, the plane flips much more quickly and stays lower to the ground. This might barely have showed over the trees, and may have contributed to the cartwheel myth.