Janet,
I've built a Cabinaire, and it was a good flyer on rubber. It may be a bit to small for a full radio set up, but as you said a rudder/speed control should fly it o.k. Ask the experts on e-zone for motor/controller advice, maybe a magnetic actuator for the rudder. GWS motor will be to big, maybe a KP-2?
You could build it,mpower it with a small motor (elec.) for free flight, then use the plans, and (kinko's) will scale it up to about 36-40" for a regular "micro radio"/280 sized motor set up.

Just a thought.

Jetts