ORIGINAL: Bob Laine
Hi "oldCoot", If you can find one, I think the best flying bi-plane on the market is a "Giant Scale Aeromaster." If you can't find one of those then I would suggest the Great Planes Steerman, 120 size. Either one of these is a good airplane for anyone without Bi-Plane experience. If you have experience flying "Bipes", then by all means get the Ultimate, or the GP Pitts. Both of these fly great but are not as forgiving as the Aeromaster, or Steerman. I've owned all of them and sold everyone except the Aeromaster. Good luck with your choice, and welcome to the world of "Bipes."
I second the Giant Aeromaster.
You'll have to hunt for a used one and a seller willing to ship it. It's LARGE!
It's my first giant scale and my first bipe and it's a SWEETEHART! Mine came with a 41cc US Engines 2 cycle.
It flies slow, does very nice aerobatics, is a puddytat to land ... just a nice, nice plane.
It won't 3D, but that wasn't what I was looking for. I wanted a nice, forgiving flyer that would ease me into giant planes and I got everything I wanted and then some.
If you're willing to build you might find a kit out there.
I haven't seen a Great Planes Stearman fly yet, but it looks like it might fill the void in their line when they discontinued the Giant Aeromaster.
BobbyG