RE: Do I really need a power panel and battery?
I went down that road a few years ago and realized field boxes are stupid. I bought a big plastic tool box from Home Depot and put all my stuff in that. I keep everything portable. With the power panel, you have wires hanging out everywhere and get caught up with the prop.
Get the portable igniter which comes with a charger, get a battery and mount your starter to it. If you end up buying a field charger someday, weel you can just disconnect the battery and clip the charger on it. Things are so much easier.
Stay with a Hobbico type crank fuel pump. Those electric pumps are nice but will quit working when you least expect it.