I voted for the new Goldberg Hot Stik .40; I'm like you in that I prefer to fly something a little different and the Hot Stik would definitely stand out on the flight line.

I like the Sportsman Aviation Sport Stik, though, and I think it too would be a lot of fun as an everyday sport flyer. A Magnum XLS .46A 2-stroke or a Magnum RFS .52 4-stroke would be a nice match for one if ultimate speed weren't your first priority.

If you want to roll the dice on something off the beaten path, the VMar Xtreme Stik is available in a low-wing or shoulder wing version, and it's designed to look more like the Ultra Stik with regard to the tail design:

[link=http://www.richmondrc.com/vma/storecusavma/productpages/productpage_cusa_vma_x240x.htm]VMar Xtreme Stik Low Wing ARF[/link]

VMar ARFs can vary a lot in quality, but their stiks have traditionally been some of their best models.

I have a Thunder Tiger Tiger Stick .40 ARF that I've been flying for a few seasons now. It's a lot of fun with a ball-bearing .46 on the front of it. I actually fly mine with a Magnum XLS .52A 2-stroke, I like how the blue cylinder head matches the covering.

Shopping for a Stik can be a difficult task, there are so many great choices from so many great companies! Nobody has even mentioned the Bipe Stik ARF available from Cedar Hobbies yet.

So anyway, like I was saying, go with the Hot Stik...