Do yourself a favor- find the model with the lightest possible wingloading and most power possible for the airframe- Forget which is your favorite looking model.
Practice with this thing until you get a feel for positioning.
Almost without exception, the current crop of ARF's (scale type) are too heavy - meaning not enouh power and excessive wing loading.
Tho these CAN be flown well - but they are NOT good trainers.
If you are using a smaller model-say a glo setup under 1000 square inch area-
get a 3D model which will calculate out to well under 20 oz /sq ft- then set it up for precision flying- decreased rates - and a more forward cg-
prop it for unlimited vertical from a idle.
Speed is not a requirement.
Unless you have have tried this kind of setup - you simply can't appreciate how much easier it is to use.
Once you get the hang of this arrangement - you can go for wild throws and aft c/g-
Then build the largest model you can easily handle and transport.
We have done 80" models at under 11 lbs with 40cc gas engines and these will fly all th Unlimited stuff as easily or more easily than the best 40% models - Not just my opinion-so a huge model is really not necessary but they do present better and give better impression points.
IMAC is fun -as long as you don't make it an exercise in frustration, trying to herd a overweight /underpowered model thru the learning stages.