Just a quick comment here: My first plane was/is an Easy Star. This thing takes a lot of abuse, and it's very flexible. You can use 6 or 7 cell NiMh packs, NiCd packs, or 2c Lipo. The radio isn't the best (I don't care for 3 channel radios) but the receiver in mine is a 6ch unit, so if I get another FM rig, I can toss the single stick transmitter.

I've seen Easy Stars modified with brushless motors - they'll climb straight up with the right combination of motor and prop. I've also seen aileron mods and landing gear mods (the plane doesn't have gear out of the box.)