I second Jim's recommendation about the Sky Raider Mach II for your first low wing plane. Cheap, fun and easy to fly. Put a Thunder Tiger Pro 40 in and you'll be set for Club 40 pylon racing. Search Stegall Hobbies and Don can set you up with a great deal.[8D]
Dave
PS: Sorry, just realized you're in the UK. Not sure if you guys have gotten the pylon racing bug, but the Sky Raider is fun to put through it's paces. It's hard not to have fun with one just wringing it.
"How about a World Models Sky Raider Mach 2. No frills, Great flyer and you can buy two for the price of many of the planes listed above.
http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...?ProductID=147
Jim "