Hey, I have several nitro rc cars and now I want a electric plane. I don't want anything too big and it has to look good. Would this be a good first plane?
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXBTE7&P=ML
It is foam so I think it would be durable. And in my tower catalog it says it is very stable at low speeds.

I dont' believe that would be a good plane for a beginner The ad also states:
NOTES FROM OUR TECH DEPARTMENT
This is an Almost-Ready-to-Fly, Electric Powered,
Great Planes Firebat Deluxe Airplane.
For Intermediate to Advanced Modeler/Flyers.
Recommended for modelers who have had trainer airplane experience and
also have safely flown/landed high-wing planes.

Keep in mind the accessories you will need to have this plane ready will add up quickly. I would suggest the Aerobird or similar for your first one, they are extremely durable and fixable.

Here is a link to someone that has it. Your LHS should have it as well: http://www.atlantahobby.com/shopexd.asp?id=960

i would forget the "has to look good" thing for your first little foamy. there are very few little "first time flyer" planes that have the kind of looks you want. get something like the mini-max or the crazy-max from wattage to start. they are ver fun planes to fly, and at $30-$40, you can easily strip everything out of the plane and put it in another model later on. (maybe something that has the looks you desire?) the aerobird and similar stuff is great except you will have to pretty much start over and buy all the field accessories for the "real" rc planes that use the conventional components rather than the more "toys r us" versions. i am not saying anything bad about them, i just dont have a better way to describe it. help me. they are fun and easy, but you could go either way. both would be the right choice. going with the mini-max or crazy-max means that it will be more money up-front for everything you need, but you wont have to re-adjust later or pay that extra.

I do agree with Spaceclam. You would have to buy everything again. However, the Aerobird Challengers seem to hold their value pretty well and I think you would be able to get atleast 60% back in a sale provided it was not destroyed. The big difference here is upfront cost difference: $150 vs: $200-300, and the time it takes to get you flying.