RE: 2nd Plane
My second plane was a Galaxy models Magician and lasted ages. Easy to fly and resonably aerobatic. I don't know if they still sell them (I think they do). If not, you can get them from pegasus models.
The Chriss Foss kits are good. A Wot 4 is a definate good second model (although it doesn't look much it flies great). The Acro Wot is good too.