I went thru (literally) 3 balsa planes before I started getting the hang of it. From there I went to an Enduro which is foam and coroplast and takes a beating.

If you're looking for something that will survive the beatings that a trainer normally has to endure, take a look at the new trainer being developed at Tufflight ([ur]http://www.tufflight.com/titan.html[/ur]) and while it may not be the prettiest model at the field, if it's anything like their Enduro - you can beat the hell out of it and by replacing a couple of nylon bolts, maybe a prop, maybe a spinner and you're back in the air in no time.

I have put my enduro into the dirt full power and only broke a prop. Other times I have had to replace a couple of nylon bolts. I even watched it sumersault on landing, come down on its wheels and taxied it back to the pits. You can't do that with or to a traditional wood model. They are just to delicate.

Anyway, as for the radio, I like my Hitec Flash 5. Nice little computer radio that does everything I need it to do and holds 5 models.

As for an engine, I love my little Magnum 40XL. A dual ball-bearing motor that pulls my Enduro around great.

I know that most of the flyers here are hard-core wood model belivers (just an assumption on my part) and you can spend a lot of hard earned cash on getting a pretty model. And that's all fine and dandy until it goes into the dirt and you take a 50" fuse and make it 20" in the blink of an eye. Personally, I am not interested in what is pretty or what is popular. I am interested in what will handle the punishment that I can and will put the model thru until I get bored with it. The Enduro was/is the perfect plane for me and I think the Titan will be an excellent trainer that will outlast wood models.

Just my opinion (which along with a buck will get you a cup a coffee most anywhere)