RE: book recommendation for a beginner?
I found Randy Randolphs', Master Modeler Series, "Radio Control Airplaine, Building Techniques" quite helpfull.
It is published by the same people who publish "Model Airplane News".
It has some pretty neat tips and techniques that I found usefull when assembling my first ARF. It will be even more usefull when I build my first kit someday.
Noah