RE: First Build - help me pick the kit
Look at the Herr Engineering Mini-Sport... Not exactly in line with what you describe, but the price is excellent and it is a small plane. This is a laser-cut kit and will go together easily; at $25 + shipping from the SIG website you can't beat it. I have done some searching on this kit and found it to be a nice flying plane, the only 2 suggestions are to beef up the gear mounts a bit and add ailerons (this is suggested with many 3CH kits).
SIG Site Specs:
3 Channel R/C (Mini radio req)
Wingspan= 35.75"
Area= 214.58 sq"
Weight= 8 to 11 oz
Wing Load= 5.37 to 7.38 oz/sq'
Direct Drive 280 class power
Flight Time= 8 to 12 min using 7 cell 27 or 350 mAh Nicad
Over 25 min using 7 cell 750 mAh NiMH
I have not built this paticular kit yet, but have built other Herr designs and they are good quality. I actually ordered one this morning and plan to build it before too long for a brushless lipo set-up.