Although I'm a fan and friend of Joe Bridi's...the "Boxer" is too cool...for school...kitted in 60, and 90 size...I'll take a couple...

But for an "entry-level", easy to build kit....and for $75., The Great Escape kit is pretty hard to beat. I really don't think scratch building ones first pattern plane could be considered entry level. The XLT, Escape, Great Escape, ect. from J.B. all have balsa sheeted foam wings, and can be set up as a tail-dragger if you like....

With the ease of building mainly the tail feathers, and the fuse, nothing could be easier. As a tail dragger...main retracts are easily installed. I have "stocked-up" on Joe's kits...and my next "build-em-up" is gonna be a hot rod "Killer Kaos" with an O.S. .60FSR (old style).

My latest plane "up" is my first venture into the pattern world....a "Big Dirty Birdy". (few exist).
Super Tiger 1.8 up front...
Pay no attention to the old, ugly man, with the beer gut.