I don't know about the plates, but I guess they are not critical.

If you will use an electric starter, adding a spinner to the prop will help you greatly.

Here you are:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...?article_id=84

http://masportaviator.com/2004/01/20/58/

For starting and tunning the engine:

http://www.gettingairborne.com/engines.html

I hope you have an instructor for your first flights.

Best luck!