the Horizon Hobby Super Sticks (40 and 60) are some pretty sweet planes and the price is RIGHT! (.40=$99; .60=$119). A GreatPlanes Big Stik costs $129 and $169 respectively (but I have to admit, I really LOVE the Red + the German crosses way more than the green/blue "swooshes" of the Super Sticks)

I really like the way Horizon went ahead and did at the factory what many people do in the field = "flap-erons" (twin servos to seperately control the flaps and ailerons) so you can "crow" it. I don't think my old Futaba FG transmitter can handle this type of move (even though it's a 7 channel), b/c I don't know if I can "mix" for this type of operation with my Tx (honestly, i'm not really sure what this accomplishes, but it must enable new ways to control the plane... ). You can also make the Super Stick a tail dragger OR a tricycle straight out of the box (with the Big Stik, you have to do the tail dragger on your own). The GreatPlanes Big Stik planes have a WAY bigger wing area (length and chord) though.

I have to admit, I still really want the Great Planes Big Stik (probably a .40), just because of the color scheme; for an extra $30, I guess the German Monokote color scheme is worth it to me (PLUS an extra 100 sq.in of wing area can come in handy (on the .40; the .60 has over 200" of wing area extra)

I guess it's a personal preference thing

Just out of "stupid curiosity" what is the difference in "tail draggers" vs "tricycle" when it comes to handling? Is it strictly the take off + landing or are there other benefits? (with taildraggers,don't you have to give it a touch of down elevator on takeoff to keep it from "jumping up" prematurely and making a really cool sideways "arch" right into the dirt? and doens't the tricycle give you a bit of rightwards "curve" on takeoff b/c of the prop torque?) Which one is easier to land?