Nice photos (except the crash one, ouch! [:@]). I think the .35 sized planes like the Ringmaster, Magician, Clown, etc. are a good compromise between wind penetration and reasonable but not excessive pull on the lines. Perhaps even a slight move up to a .45 sized one. Plus the .35 ones are reasonably quick to build.

Inasmuch as it would be fun, I don't think I'm going to move up to pulse jet.