Well, after much waffling about... and GREAT suggestions on thread, I've made a decision. A Meister P-47 razorback showed up on RCU at a substantial savings, so I have gone with that. It comes with the full wood kit as well as the fiberglass fuse and more. It also includes the main retracts and wheels. This gives me a great jump start on financing the project. This model has a great reputation for slow flying and easy landings. I was so very close to pulling the trigger on a Stuka and just might have to take on one of those as well.

I'm considering a 100 or so cc twin for it. Oh, and it comes with two cowlings to experiment with cowling flaps. Interesting. I've also found a nice 4 blade prop which would add a nice touch. The model is a 102" wingspan and should weigh in somewhere around 40 pounds. I haven't yet decided on a color scheme, but it looks like I have a good many options.

Again, thanks to everyone for the great input. I was looking hard at the P-47 but leaning towards the Stuka, until this came along. It wound up being a no-brainer. If not for the earlier posts about the P-47, I might not have looked seriously at this Meister kit.