I have been enjoying flying my Hobbyzone Firebird Freedom, which I learnt to fly by myself after a series of crashes. A couple of trips to my local flying field have fuelled my interest in 'proper' model flying. I have read alot of articles in various magazines and have many questions, I would be gratreful for any advice that can be given to a complete novice.

Which Plane?
Which is the best plane to learn to fly? I have noticed that there a dedicated trainers such as Seagulls Arising Star, Thunder Tiger Trainer 40 and Irvine Trainer 40 to name a few. Is a fair to assume that all these planes will do a similar job? or is one better that the others?

I would also like to know what materials and tools I would need to complete the plane?

Radio Gear
Eventually I would like to fly some kind of scale model, perhaps a warbird with retracts etc. and to this end I need to decide what sort of transmitter would best suit and last for some time. I think, looking at the articles, I need to buy a computer radio set up, but which one should I chose, Sanwa, Futaba, Hitec? I think a deal that includes servos, receiver and nicads would be sensible as I could then use these in my trainer?

Extras
What equipment do I need when I go to the flying field? Is there anything obvious that I have missed or need to know?