Mariner,
Lots of good advice here.

The one thing I would add is go find your local combat guys first. Find out what class(es) the local guys fly, and build for that.

No sense in building a B class ship if everyone is flying SSC or A class or 2610, or some local rules variation. Once you know what the rules are for the contests near you, you can look at airframe options. SPADs are great options. I personally fly foamies and foam-plastic hybrids.