Ok, I'm starting to think I might just order the Herr Mini-Sport to whet my appetite. Doing so will help me get a feel for size, tools needed, time, techniques, etc then I can build a 4*40 or the SSE... and then move onto a scale plane if I feel inclined to keep kit building.
I hear what you guys are saying about the Guillows planes, but it looks like fiddling with toothpicks to me, hehe. Down the road it might be fun to build one to set on my desk at the office... to keep me distracted while at work.

I really appreciate all the help.