Kat, I've got to aggree with Gizmo. You just can't go wrong with the 4*. It won't hover, and knife edge drops petty fast. Other than those two things, you couldn't ask for a better 2nd. It is a good transistion to a higher performance or scale plane. I wouldn't jump into a scale of any kind untill your third plane, or fourth. There are some neet bashes you and do with the 4*. Simply cutting the canopy down for a sleeker look does wonders. Fiberglass specialities has a good looking cowl and wheel pants, but you can get some prefinished in white pants from tower for quit a bit less money.

Take a read through the 4* threads and look at the bashes done on them. One guy had a fighter look on his, still with the great handeling of hte 4*.

A word of caution. Just after you solo, you will create a lot of broken sticks. It just goes with the learning process. Every one of the guys I know who soloed just after me has done serious if not faital damage to their trainer, then the second plane. I'm about ready to put #5 in the air and I soloed last april. By the way, if one of the guys at the field offers you a trainer, even one that needs some love, take it and get it flight ready. It will be a good tool to get you back in the groove when you jump out. Especially it is good to have a plane ready to fly in the event of a crash.

Don.