You mentioned you wanted to build a plane. Getting an ARF that might be built right or might not doesn't sound like what you are interested in. If I were you I would go check out any local hobby stores and flying fields. If you don't have any then you need to consider how you are going to learn to fly without an instructor. This means crashing your plane. In this case something like a SPAD(have no experience with) or some other very durable plane might be a good idea. On the other hand I don't know about the wing loading on them, they might be really heavy. To get an idea of good wing loading check out Sigs trainers. Anything that goes heavier will not fly slowly as well. If you have access to a flying field and an instructor I would buy a .40 trainer kit. I've built two planes and owned two ARF's(crap but they were older, 90's) and crashed them all due to lack of instructors. All crashed planes except one ARF were repairable. These turfed really hard to. As far as scratch building a first plane, I wouldn't do it.. Build one from kit first then progress to that.

So basic list:

.40 Trainer kit, LT-25 can take a .40, : ), my kit to build soon
.40 engine, TT GP .42 for me on my next plane
Any 4 channel radio with 4 standard servos

You will need a lot of accesories $$ to build and fly a plane. Supposedly some of the new ARF's are pretty good. If building really isn't your ticket then I would look at them. Building is fun though!