The Debonaire SPAD is a good plane, but be darned sure you build the wing straight. Have someone check it out before you fly. Have someone around when you do the wings. I did mine, and I have experience, and I messed up the wings. They were not straight. Oh it flew just fine, but would not fly straight without an awful lot of trim. And, yes, it's a heavy plane.

If I were you, I would opt for one of the inexpensive trainers, Tower Trainer ARF 40 for example, and a decent four channel radio (if you don't mind spending a few dollars, the Spektrum DX7 is great because it will go with anything... ANYTHING you build after the trainer.

And, no matter what some people say, if you get the right training, with a qualified instructor and using a buddy box, you should not crash it. You might ding it up a bit, bend landing gear, tip a wing, break a few props, but that's all immediately repairable and you can go on. My trainer is still around and still flying.. third owner, by the way, I bought it new, solo'ed, flew it for a few months, then sold it to another student, who did the same thing I did.. then sold it to a third person who is still flying it.

That does not mean you won't crash, but you should not be concerned with that, just be concerned that you are getting the proper training and feel ready when you are ready to solo.

As for the other stuff.. most of it has already been mentioned. Alan said it best.. go out to the field and see what they have and ask for ideas on what to get. Someone may just give you stuff.. I did at my field.

Good luck. We want to hear how you made out.

DS.