Agnew,

I believe everyone has writen the correct answers to your question. The only thing i have to say is, take a look at electrics. I know you specifically mentioned non-electric, but just for the hell of it, look into hobby-lobby.com. They have alot of electric planes. Electrics have a habit of costing much less then glows. And not to mention durability. Electrics usually come foam (since no company has developed a descent electric engine that can overpower an all-wood constructed heavy airplane, hint hint). Foam is great since you can fix almost anything with just epoxy glue.

To tell you the truth, i just ordered my first airplane yesterday. It was the Cessena RTF 180 from Wattage. I think its great. You should take a lookt at it at:

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/128309.asp

Good Luck!