Mark and cutaway,

Thanks for your encouragement. You're right. You eat a pound of beef one slice at a time. I think that if I can just watch someone locally build something, or maybe let them look at my work once in awhile to answer questions it would probably go a long way. And you're right, I should probably just pick up a beginner kit and just go to it, fearlessly. Thanks again.

Summerwind,

Heh, I think he said he wasn't interested... however I would like to comment... that you have similar tastes. An Albatros D.III / D.V would be about the ultimate for me. I've always loved looking at that plane and flying it in simulators. I haven't found too many ARFs (I heard someone once speculate the reason is the shape of the fuse would be hard to mass produce - who knows - could be rubbish).
But I think as a long-term goal, I would eventually like to own and fly such a fine model. Good luck with yours!

Thanks,
Hammers