RE: why did you go Large?
In one word.....reliability. Yes they are more expensive, but they fly 10 times better than small planes. The gas engines are a set it and forget it kind of thing. no more adjusting the glow engine for an hour only to have the ambient air conditions change. Power to weight is much better and landings are better.
I still have a Precision Aerobatics Addiction that I fly, but after that my smallest plane is 35%