G'day

Welcome to the world of flying models. Welcome also to retirement. I strongly recommend both.

Now as to a model for you. I was a latecomer to this hobby in that I started learning to fly RC models at the age of 40. If you are older than this, then you will find it is going to take you longer to learn than a 16 year old (who will be doing aerobatics in about 3 months) and that you need an airframe that can help you rather than hinder you.

You also said you want to build something so this is what I recommend to learners who are "more advantaged in years".

Have a look at http://www.sigmfg.com

Look in the Kit section for the trainers and then look at either the Kadet Senior (my favourite) or the Kadet Seniorita.

These were designed as trainers right from the start. They were not, as are many so called trainers, designed as sports models.

They are both large for their engine size, they are light so they will fly slowly and they have the stability that more mature pilots need to help them to fly. As a latecomer to the world of RC planes, you will need time to think. The Kadets will give you this in spades. When they are set up properly, they will recover them selves simply by you letting the controls go. They are easy to take off and land though they do need to take off directly into the wind. For this reason, I use four stroke engines in mine as they are more reliable generally and can pull large props at lower revs. Even my least powerful Kadet Senior (Saito 56 four stroke) can take off accross our strip if the wind direction makes it necessary.

The kits are basically a box of sticks. They come with excellent instructions and excellent plans. A friend recently took one of my plans and built his first ever model plane simply by buying balsa, spruce and ply from the local hobby shop. The plan is that good. It has since flown successfully.

For an engine I would recommend a Saito 56 - 62. They are not cheap but they last for ever and do not need high nitro fuels. 5 to 10% is fine for use in a trainer.

If don't want to build the stick and sheet fuse of the Senior and Seniorita, then the LT-25 and 40 are also excellent trainers which are even easier to build but with higher wing loadings which makes them fly a little faster. Still excellent trainers.

If I can help you, feel free to PM me or ask questions here.