Scratchie's no beginner. I'd stay away from WWI bipes - Even the Sopwith. They look great, but in those days, they didn't know much about airplane design, and with the heavy, low powered engines, they tended to be more of a nose-heavy kite than an airplane.

An exception might be the SE-5 or Jenny

The Elder is an option, so would a Tiger Moth. If you can find a Lazy Ace kit, go for it!