It's a one hour drive to the field for me. So when I go, I either return with a empty fuel jug...or sooner with a "Bag-O-Balsa"!

Plastic display vs. R/C is like night and day, with both excellent in their own special way.

With your goal of the P61 always in mind, building, and eventually flying, a sport model from a kit will help you reach that goal, IMO.

Everything learned along the way during the sport RC model build, outfit, and fly...will be used for the P61. This will include the good, as well as the not-so-good.

When you are ready to make a move, take whatever time necessary in choosing the Radio. The correct radio will possess the features required to control the P61. Then, naturally, this radio will for sure have the requirements to operate a simpler sport model also.

Good Luck!