Another vote for Twister, especially if you like it so much. My kid completed learning his beginner pattern on one. We used E-Flite Power 10 motor with Castle Phoenix 35 ESC, Hubin FM-9 timer and a Turnigy 3S 2200 mAh battery. APC 10x6E prop, 60' lines. Can't remember RPM, I think around 9500. The motor and the battery fit in the nose just fine, and the CG balanced easily. The battery was enough for a 4 min flight, which is more than enough for the beginner pattern.
Having said all that, the Twister is not as crashworthy as combat wing-based trainers of similar size (for example, Phil Cartier's trainers). Those can be stuffed into the ground multiple times and repair easily. The Twister wing will turn into a bunch of balsa pieces inside a Monokote bag. It all depends on where you are in your learning curve, but generally trainers in the 430-450 sq, inch wing area with reasonably light wing loading (10-11 oz/in^2) and a reasonably thick and blunt airfoil don't need flaps to fly a very decent beginner pattern. Which is why I think modern combat wings make such a great learning platform.
Also, I highly recommend making motor mounts out of ~ 0.050" soft-ish aluminum sheet (or something close - check sheet stock at Lowes). I lost count of how many motor mounts I've gone through before he learned how to fly - but saved us many motors and fuselages! Do stock up on propellers, however.