How about this for an "out of the box" suggestion....

I was out of R/C for 25 years. My passion is with WWI and earlier vintage planes. I too wanted a trainer-like plane to relearn with. I also wanted it to be a tail dragger because that is what I would eventually be building. I had the added desire for it to look somewhat vintage.

I settled on the Super Flying Models Eindecker (EIII). What a GREAT choice! It looks terrific (at least I think so) and fly great too. Even very seasoned pilots have said it is great fun to fly.

I just have an OS 40LA in it and it is not underpowered. (Keep in mind that I have no intention of burning holes in the sky. An EIII would look pretty odd doing hammerheads and hovering.) There is no reason to go more than a 46.

The plane is very reasonable at $109 from Horizon Hobby. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Here is a movie of it's maiden flight and a few pictures...

[link=http://www.wings-of-valor.net/uploads/E3_04.wmv]Chevelle's EIII Maiden Flight[/link]