A long tail really helps in a first pattern model. For a not-too-expensive model, the Cermark Javelin II is hard to beat. Review here on RCU http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=218. I had the good fortune of being coached into pattern, and the Javelin was my coach's demo modelhis third copy of this plane, even though he was flying a 2M for competing. It was a natural for me to move to the Javelin as my second competition model, and it sure does fly like a pattern plane. I found I could get it to slow roll like it was strung on a wire. Very smooth in big loops. After five years, I'm putting together my second Javelin, and sold my spare to a buddy who I'm now coaching. YS 63 makes a good powerplant for this model, but I'm sure the Shark 52 as used in the RCU review would be good as well.

I have flown the Swallow, liked it very well, and have another in a box that I will put together one of these days. YS 110 powered. Quest II also makes a great entry model, same YS110 power. I had a great time flying the Venus I with a YS63, and the Venus II with YS110 or OS 120AX now has a great following.

My club has a pattern meet coming up July 12 & 13 in Hudson, NH. If you can make one of those days, you'd have an opportunity to see a lot of pattern models in action, talk to the pilots, see and learn more in one day than in a hundred hours of forum discussion. PM me for details if you like, or go to http://www.ne-aero.com/gspa.html.