Mark, that's a good question. If this is your first venture into this type model, then you could make your choice of the ones you list based on how you like the 'looks' of them. They are all good models and will certainly provide a solid foundation to build your skills. You also commented on 'last year's model' and while we all find some way to justify the need to have the newest model, in truth, an older model (I fly an Integral) still flies better than my capabilities. In the F3A classes, as we move into more complex maneuvers like rolling loops and circles and countless snap rolls, the latest greatest model may provide some level of advantage over an older model but most competitors don't have the requirement to do the complex maneuvers required in F3A. On the other hand, manufacturers all need to bring out new models to entice us into paying for the 'latest greatest', they need to do this to stay competitive. Nothing wrong with that and we all love hearing about the newest world beater model and trying to figure out how we justify buying one or fitting that purchase into the modeling budget.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, 99% of the score you get for a maneuver depends on the pilot. ;-)

Woodie