I graduated up to a Sterling P-51 profile with a .36x Fox when I was in college. That plane was all I could handle. I can still remember how loud that Fox engine was. It met its end when I did a rather large loop right into the pavement. That was my last control line plane.
I saw some guys flying R/C planes (Memphis R/C Club) back in 1967 and was truly amazed at how good they were at flying. The field was 70 miles from my house, but I managed to get in a few lessons that summer. The club was located at a crop duster strip back then. There are a heck of a lot more folks in the hobby now, but back then that was the only club in west TN. I spent about 10 years crashing planes until I joined a club in Jackson and bought a more reliable radio. That made all the difference in the world.
The best plane I ever built was a Bud Nosen "Big Stick" with a 2.2 quadra engine and 96 inch wingspan. That was in the early 80s and I have not flow that much since then. Sorry to say I sold the Big Stick, but it is still around!
My subdivision has 5 acre lots so there is plenty of room to fly just outside my door. A new industrial park(no buildings yet) about a mile away has a new paved N/S road that would make a perfect runway. I am looking forward to getting back into the hobby and flying electric power.