I want to compete in beginner IMAC this year.

These are the choices I have available for planes:

MW 80" Extra with 50cc gasser

AW 25% Edge with ST3000 or MDS 148

MW G-202 27% 72" wingspan with ST3000 or MDS 148

Lanier Laser 200 25% with ST3000 or MDS 148

I know the 80" Extra will probably fly better-- bigger is better. I just don't have the plane yet--and it's gonna cost me about $250 for the kit. I do have the engine. It will turn a 22-8 MA Schimitar wood at 6800-7000RPM

The AW 25% Edge is about 50% done. It's framed up and thats about it. I would really like to run a 40cc gasser on this plane-- but I don't have one of them. I could be totally rediculous and run the 50cc gasser on this plane-- but I'd probably just rip it apart. The AW Edge will probably be less than 11 pounds RTF. I can get a 42cc conversion for about $300. I do have the ST3000 engine and it runs very strong-- I just hate feeding it. Also have the MDS 148-- but its a bit low on power for the plane size and weight at this altitude.

The MW G-202 is a NIB kit. I have no idea how it will fly. It seems a bit heavy for its size at 12-13 pounds. Even my great running ST3000 will be a bit short on power with this heavy of a plane at 6000' above sea level. The 50cc gasser would work here-- but it's kinda low on sq. inches at 960 sq. inches. the weight of the 50cc engine would probably make it fly like a brick.

The Lanier Laser is crashed and needs a new fuselage. It was extremely light at 10 pounds RTF with an MDS 148 engine. Unfortuneately-- I have no idea how it flies-- as I crashed it on my maiden flight with a deadstick after only about 3 seconds after takeoff. Darn MDS engine. The 50cc gasser on this plane would probably be too big.

Any ideas or suggestions to get me started with what I've got. I can get the MW 80" Extra if I'm really nice to my wife -- but the $250 for the kit is just the beginning of THAT can of worms.. The servos will need to be very nice and expensive. Figure about $400-$500 for the servos. The hardware and covering for such a big model will be about another $200-400.

I really want to get started this year, but am on a limited budget. Keep in mind that even though I have the glow engines-- they are very expensive to operate. And the 50cc gasser is a bit big for the kits I currently have. So-- where do I bite the bullet and spend the money? Buy a bigger kit or get a smaller gas engine or just build the smaller planes and fly with glow for another year? What do you guys think?

Thanks for looking.