198 lbs comes out to @ $386 USD. While not cheap it's probably a good deal in England as I know your prices run a bit higher there.
Seems like a fair starter deal and a GOOD radio to continue with.

I would NOT go with GWS as I have heard some not so good things about them although I have no first hand experience with them.

http://www.ripmax.com/item.asp?itemi...0&Category=080
looks to be a fair ball-bearing ABC engine. Again we don't have them here so hard to give an evaluation.

As for strengthening the gear. Could change to heavier wire or flat metal plate style. Any changes in CG would have to be corrected of course but that should be easy. NEVER trust that an RTF is balanced when you get it anyway. It always needs to be checked.