RE: Good first biplane?
+1 on the GP Super Skybolt ARF. My son and I just built two (one each) as our first bipes and they are a dream to fly.
My progression was Telemaster, .40 Stik, .60 low wing (Goldberg Chipmunk), to the Skybolt. We use Magnum .91 4-strokes, I don't have experience with electrics.