ORIGINAL: cruzomatic
Sean,
Here's the real deal. Get yourself a Sig 4*60, either a Thunder Tiger/Magnum .91 four stroke engine, get a couple APC 14x6 props, buy a medium sized sullivan tail wheel brack setup and you'll be all set. Once you get it flown, you'll thank me.
Best of luck.
Well, I'll go along with the plane but stay away from a fourstroke at this point. Your "honing" your skills here. Fourstroke engines are not as forgiving in a crash as a 2 stroke and more expensive. I suggest a 60 size like he said but maybe with a ST 61, TT61pro or something. Having the fourstar will give you low wing time and they are an easy fly.
Make sure you keep your trainer, you might need it because accidents do happen and that will give you something to fly while your building another plane.
As far as visibility goes. Don't get all stupid about it. "Designs" don't show up well. Put a 6 inch wide white stripe on the top outer edge of each wing and you should be fine.
When it comes to the covering design, the MFG's a morons on it. I have rebuilt or recovered many of my planes and I always make the bottom of the wing solid white, regardless of the rest of the colors. This is what works for me.
7c is a good radio. Holds 10 planes. Keep all your planes on the same frequency. Makes life much easier.