I know this is totally out of the relm of what you asked, but have you considered electrics?

I am not trying to push them on you, Just make you aware of how far electrics have advanced. You can get into a three channel electric RTF packge for under $200, complete!!

Not a big powerful fuel plane, but you don't have a big powerful budget either.

These planes can be flown many places fuel planes can not be flown because they are almost silent. Since there is no fuel, there is no smell, no spills killing grass and no messy clean up aftewards. You charge the batteries from your car. Typically you have one battery in the plane and one or more extra. After you fly, you charge that one while you fly on the next one.

Many don't even need a runway. I have two flying that I fly in an open grass field. I hand throw the planes and just belly land them on the grass. I also fly sailplanes. I have a total of 6 planes.

Here are two examples of three channel electric Ready-To-Fly Packages for under $200. The planes come complete and fully assembled. Charge the flight battery with the included 12 V charger, put on the wing, put the batteries in the transmitter and up you go!

AEROBIRD Challenger THREE CHANNEL ELECTRIC PARKFLYER
I fly one of these. Lots of fun! Inexpensive and rugged for a three channel starter - $110-$150

As an option the Aerobird Challenger has an air to air combat module, a bomb drop module, or a sky diver drop module. Each about $20.

Here is a review of the Aerobird ( before the new Aerobird Challenger model)

http://www1.wildhobbies.com/news/def...&articleid=853
On these pages you will find Videos of the Aerobird in flight
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/aerobird_video.html
http://www.modelflight.com.au/model_flight_videos.htm

With 100+ flights on the Aerobird I love it and have recommended it to many friends who fly them as well. They all learned very quickly!

SKY SCOOTER PRO II

I am helping my buddy learn to fly one of these. You can get it as an ARF or as a RTF package with a 72 MHZ Hitec 3 channel radio for about $160. This one is more aerobatic than the Aerobird.

http://www.hitecrcd.com/Funtec/Pro2.htm
Videos
http://www.hitecrcd.com/Funtec/videos.htm

Electrics go large as well. Electics are avilable or can be built in the 10-20 pound range. There are models aviailable off the shelf that will break 75 MPH and some go over 100 MPH.

There are tons of articles about people taking their .40-.90 planes and converting them to electric. It is not hard to do.

So, if glo is your way to go, I can't offer you any help. Electrics are just another option for your consideration on your tight budget.

Interested in sailplanes or electric gliders?