Ditto on the World Models Super Sport 40. It sells for $100, is quick to get in the air, and is a good flyer with a wide speed range. The only problem I had with mine (besides the locked up rx that finally did it in) was a warped elevator. This was quickly fixed with some opposite twist and a heat gun. The hardware is good and even comes with a block of foam already cut out for your rx and battery.

That being said, I just got an Ace/ThunderTiger Cloud Dancer 40 and it is a sweat flying plane. It's got one of the largest wing areas for a 40 size plane (625 sq. in. vs 565 for the SS) and the double taper wing has a very wide speed range. It took more work to get ready to fly, cost more, but I think the difference shows.

Joel