Shane,

I have been flying my LT-40 with the OS FX .46 (JR Radio) for about six months. I think its an excellent set up. Very reliable engine with plenty of power. You need to be aware of prop size, I flew a 10X7 for the first two months and had a hard time landing (it glides and glides and glides), then switched to a 11X5 and it handles much nicer.

I, too, had no experience when I started out.

I wouldn't recommend a kit first, UNLESS you have an experienced modeler who can drop by from time to time. There's lots of gluing and assembly on the LT-40 ARF so I thought there was a great deal of satisfaction from finishing the ARF. However, even with the much more limited construction need, I was very nervous when I took it to the field the first time because I simply didn't know how critical things like CG, servo installation, push rod travel, etc., etc., were.

I am building a kit (4*60) for my second plane.

GB