RE: Taking the plunge into the RC world!
i second not going with the gms on your first plane back into the hobby. the thunder tiger is a great engine at a great price ($80 from tower). the O.S. AX is also a winner but at a premium.
personally i love 4-stroke engines and would love to see a magnum forestroke (if you don't want to spring for a saito or o.s.) in there.
welcome back into the hobby!