RE: Why the near obsession with over powering airplanes?
We're also seeing a LOT of 3-D/High Aplha models that have practically swapped the prop for the wing. The wing is just there tohold more & larger control surfaces. ;-) And you need an engine that will rapidly accelerate you up out of a toqrue roll.
As I "mature" I am finding torque is better than raw speed even with low alpha maneuvers and relaxed flying. I like gasoline engines (in gasoline engined size airframes) that allow me to do Aresti style maneuvers at half throttle.
Igot my start in R/C flying gliders. Every landing a dead stick. You'll know if you're over reliant on the engine when it stops.