RE: 28 years later I just flew ! I did it !
Kyosho Joe...
What ever you do, Please Please Please do not try to make one of those 2 planes you built with your dad something to learn on..
get the foamy you mentioned, learn on that, then and only then, get an ARF of something that would make a good second plane, such as a 4*, or a stick.. then after you get real good with that, maybe consider flying one of those two planes you mentioned.. It would be even better if you waited to make one of those 2 planes a 4th plane... you want to be a very proficient flyer before risking flying the planes that have such a high sentimental value attached to them!!
Craig.