For kits, the 1/2A Brodak Basic Trainer is an excellent trainer airplane. Do reinforce the fuselage front. The plastic motor mount tends to break the fuselage where it ends.

The SIG Skyray is another good kit. You can set the controls at minimum at first to make it steady, then increase controls to make it do stunts.

Both of these use simple, easy to repair sheet construction.

There are some excellent free plans online if you want to build from plans.

George