I have a spad trainer 60" wing span 44" fuse. It flies just as good as my PT 40 did. the only difference between the two I can think of is the weight (the balsa plane will weigh about a pound less) The good thing with a spad is it can take a lot of abuse (hard landings cartwheels, endovers) just go pick it up brush it off do a radio check and go fly it again. You can't do that kind of abuse with a balsa plane. I can't say if one's better than the other. They each have their own benefits.