Lablover:
Here is my 2 cents worth. I see you put this in the beginner section as per a previous post. That said (this is just my opinion).

1. Bottom line is the guy was flying the wrong way.
2. I think the guy knew you were new to the hobby and took advantage of the situation, in other words he knew he was at fault and since you are new he decided not to pony up for your loss.
3. You should have got him to commit to replacing your airplane the day of the incident. It might be sour grapes now.

Now I want to say this. At our club we have a right of way rule and there is to be no 3D in the pattern area. (loops and rolls ok) no hovers etc. I was following a 30% extra and the dude pulls up and starts a hover right at mid field. I pulled up and just barely missed him. I flew the pattern and landed.

I waited until he was through with his exhibition. After he landed, I went over and informed him that if we would have had a midair that he would have been buying me a new plane. He knew the rules of the field and blatantly ignored them.

I feel like the dude that was flying against the pattern and doing maneuvers that seem to be consitant with an advanced pilot, he obviously knew better as well. The guy OWES you an airplane. I would ask him to replace your loss and if that fails ask the club officers and especially the safety officer for a ruling.

He was wrong.

Glenn