DW Foamies has a great first 3D foamie. The 38" Yak 54 is what I learned to 3D on, and it is still teaching me, even with 9 months of 3D practice, flying several times a day (I have gotten as far as rolling harriers now).

Mike has a great steal on a combo deal too. $110 for your choice of plane (I would go with the yak), a brushless outrunner, a 20 amp BL ESC, and 4 servos.

Mike wouldn't sell electronics that aren't quality, and it really shows. I'm using the same servos as in the combo in my Yak, and they have plenty of torque. Never have stripped, as far as I know, and provide plenty of torque for hard core 3D.

Also, Mike has 1000 mah lipos for $22 a piece, I believe. They're 3 cell, with a 20C discharge rate-plenty of juice for the plane. Same weight/size as comparable thunder power lipos.

http://www.dwfoamies.com/